General Reports

Seeing as how I'm near the Linda Vista trolley station I have always wanted to take it down to the border just to see what the trip was like and how long it took. I hadn't been on the trolley in damn near 10 years. So I went on it last night around 8 pm, arrived around 9 I think because I had to transfer from the green line to blue line. Everything was fine on the way there. It was on the way back, at about 20 til midnight when things got weird. About halfway through the trip a homeless man on the opposite side started smoking something out in the open. Nobody said anything to him. Since I was on the opposite end I couldn't smell what it was. Even still that wasn't too bad, but then a homeless woman got on with a disheveled look and came and stood right up to me. It was super awkward because there wasn't anybody else around. I had my AirPods in so I just ignored her hoping she would leave but she wouldn't budge. After about a minute she started talking to me. I told her I couldn't hear her because I was listening to music. She kept talking so I took my AirPods out and said look, you need to back off, you're in my personal space. I don't have any spare change or cigarettes, if that's what you're looking for. She then started screaming and cussing me out. I told her to back away as there was no reason for her to be standing so close to me. Thank God she actually backed away but she was still cursing me out. And then at another stop a couple other homeless guys came in and sat down a couple seats down from me and one basically keeled over and appeared to be dead. Wtf was going on here. Then the other one proceeded to start smoking crack right there in the open as if everything was normal. By the end I think I was the only normal person in there surrounded by deranged homeless people. Never again. At least not at night time. I honestly don't know how single women ride the trolley at night seeing as how as a man I felt uneasy about it. I would rather just drive into Tijuana or park near the border and walk over like I usually do.

[QUOTE=Nothing24;2764519]Seeing as how I'm near the Linda Vista trolley station I have always wanted to take it down to the border just to see what the trip was like and how long it took. I hadn't been on the trolley in damn near 10 years. So I went on it last night around 8 pm, arrived around 9 I think because I had to transfer from the green line to blue line. Everything was fine on the way there. It was on the way back, at about 20 til midnight when things got weird. About halfway through the trip a homeless man on the opposite side started smoking something out in the open. Nobody said anything to him. Since I was on the opposite end I couldn't smell what it was. Even still that wasn't too bad, but then a homeless woman got on with a disheveled look and came and stood right up to me. It was super awkward because there wasn't anybody else around. I had my AirPods in so I just ignored her hoping she would leave but she wouldn't budge. After about a minute she started talking to me. I told her I couldn't hear her because I was listening to music. She kept talking so I took my AirPods out and said look, you need to back off, you're in my personal space. I don't have any spare change or cigarettes, if that's what you're looking for. She then started screaming and cussing me out. I told her to back away as there was no reason for her to be standing so close to me. Thank God she actually backed away but she was still cursing me out. And then at another stop a couple other homeless guys came in and sat down a couple seats down from me and one basically keeled over and appeared to be dead. Wtf was going on here. Then the other one proceeded to start smoking crack right there in the open as if everything was normal. By the end I think I was the only normal person in there surrounded by deranged homeless people. Never again. At least not at night time. I honestly don't know how single women ride the trolley at night seeing as how as a man I felt uneasy about it. I would rather just drive into Tijuana or park near the border and walk over like I usually do.[/QUOTE]Trolley is fine during the day but you're playing with fire using it at night. Use common sense, it's not worth using the trolley at night, anyone of these mentally deranged people can have a knife and shank you before you knew it.

[QUOTE=Nothing24;2764519]Seeing as how I'm near the Linda Vista trolley station I have always wanted to take it down to the border just to see what the trip was like and how long it took. I hadn't been on the trolley in damn near 10 years. So I went on it last night around 8 pm, arrived around 9 I think because I had to transfer from the green line to blue line. Everything was fine on the way there. It was on the way back, at about 20 til midnight when things got weird. About halfway through the trip a homeless man on the opposite side started smoking something out in the open. Nobody said anything to him. Since I was on the opposite end I couldn't smell what it was. Even still that wasn't too bad, but then a homeless woman got on with a disheveled look and came and stood right up to me. It was super awkward because there wasn't anybody else around. I had my AirPods in so I just ignored her hoping she would leave but she wouldn't budge. After about a minute she started talking to me. I told her I couldn't hear her because I was listening to music. She kept talking so I took my AirPods out and said look, you need to back off, you're in my personal space. I don't have any spare change or cigarettes, if that's what you're looking for. She then started screaming and cussing me out. I told her to back away as there was no reason for her to be standing so close to me. Thank God she actually backed away but she was still cursing me out. And then at another stop a couple other homeless guys came in and sat down a couple seats down from me and one basically keeled over and appeared to be dead. Wtf was going on here. Then the other one proceeded to start smoking crack right there in the open as if everything was normal. By the end I think I was the only normal person in there surrounded by deranged homeless people. Never again. At least not at night time. I honestly don't know how single women ride the trolley at night seeing as how as a man I felt uneasy about it. I would rather just drive into Tijuana or park near the border and walk over like I usually do.[/QUOTE]Haha love this report. It's why I tell mongers don't get on the trolley with a suitcase and he'll no nice shies or dress pants. San diego is grimey like alberquerque. It is not LOS angeles. Your trolleybstaion, us the one just 1 minute past old Town Station. So you didn't even see the worst of it. I used to take that route in the day time before covid maybe 30 days a year to get rental cars. It turned intona homeless haven even before covid. You really shouldn't of said anything to these people. Because they carry knives. They will stab you. Their entire life involves street beefs stabbings stealing from othwr homeless. Yes don't take it at night. It's safer during the day as it's full of Mexican teens and Mexican woman men going back to tijauana after a day of school and work. If you take from old Town don't take the route that goes tobsan ysidro. Take the other one that goes through gaslamp it has tourists and it doesn't go through to the homeless haven stops in the city area. But yes it's very dangerous, I feel way safer in Zona Norte these days than the trolley part of it is I can't run away on trolley. Last week a gang banging 27 year old from LA was telling stories of shootings, his 15 years in prison, and I overheard and laughed and said to guy next to me that this is better than tik tok. He didn't know what I said exactly but was pissed and was comming at me. But the other dude was a fang member himself who did many more years than the other kid and told him to stay away from us. As a result I do not take the trolly from old Town. I'll spend the gas and drive to 2 stops before the border. Too risky. I also stopped taking the nyc subway as that's also turned to a purge crime scene.

[QUOTE=Nothing24;2764519]Seeing as how I'm near the Linda Vista trolley station I have always wanted to take it down to the border just to see what the trip was like and how long it took. I hadn't been on the trolley in damn near 10 years. So I went on it last night around 8 pm, arrived around 9 I think because I had to transfer from the green line to blue line. Everything was fine on the way there. It was on the way back, at about 20 til midnight when things got weird. About halfway through the trip a homeless man on the opposite side started smoking something out in the open. Nobody said anything to him. Since I was on the opposite end I couldn't smell what it was. Even still that wasn't too bad, but then a homeless woman got on with a disheveled look and came and stood right up to me. It was super awkward because there wasn't anybody else around. I had my AirPods in so I just ignored her hoping she would leave but she wouldn't budge. After about a minute she started talking to me. I told her I couldn't hear her because I was listening to music. She kept talking so I took my AirPods out and said look, you need to back off, you're in my personal space. I don't have any spare change or cigarettes, if that's what you're looking for. She then started screaming and cussing me out. I told her to back away as there was no reason for her to be standing so close to me. Thank God she actually backed away but she was still cursing me out. And then at another stop a couple other homeless guys came in and sat down a couple seats down from me and one basically keeled over and appeared to be dead. Wtf was going on here. Then the other one proceeded to start smoking crack right there in the open as if everything was normal. By the end I think I was the only normal person in there surrounded by deranged homeless people. Never again. At least not at night time. I honestly don't know how single women ride the trolley at night seeing as how as a man I felt uneasy about it. I would rather just drive into Tijuana or park near the border and walk over like I usually do.[/QUOTE]LOL, well you may have just gotten unlucky as I've never had anything like those experiences all my times using the trolley (which might be an average of 10-15 times / year for the past several years), even late at night. Of course you see homeless people and the like quite a bit but that doesn't really bother me. They're generally harmless.

My only suggestion would be to consider parking at one of the trolley stations much closer to Tijuana. I. e. , Palomar St. Or closer (Palomar St. Is where I always park and never had issues there). Still free parking and minimizes the time you're on the trolley. No more than 10 minutes.

[QUOTE=Nothing24;2764519]Seeing as how I'm near the Linda Vista trolley station I have always wanted to take it down to the border just to see what the trip was like and how long it took. I hadn't been on the trolley in damn near 10 years. So I went on it last night around 8 pm, arrived around 9 I think because I had to transfer from the green line to blue line. Everything was fine on the way there. It was on the way back, at about 20 til midnight when things got weird. About halfway through the trip a homeless man on the opposite side started smoking something out in the open. Nobody said anything to him. Since I was on the opposite end I couldn't smell what it was. Even still that wasn't too bad, but then a homeless woman got on with a disheveled look and came and stood right up to me. It was super awkward because there wasn't anybody else around. I had my AirPods in so I just ignored her hoping she would leave but she wouldn't budge. After about a minute she started talking to me. I told her I couldn't hear her because I was listening to music. She kept talking so I took my AirPods out and said look, you need to back off, you're in my personal space. I don't have any spare change or cigarettes, if that's what you're looking for. She then started screaming and cussing me out. I told her to back away as there was no reason for her to be standing so close to me. Thank God she actually backed away but she was still cursing me out. And then at another stop a couple other homeless guys came in and sat down a couple seats down from me and one basically keeled over and appeared to be dead. Wtf was going on here. Then the other one proceeded to start smoking crack right there in the open as if everything was normal. By the end I think I was the only normal person in there surrounded by deranged homeless people. Never again. At least not at night time. I honestly don't know how single women ride the trolley at night seeing as how as a man I felt uneasy about it. I would rather just drive into Tijuana or park near the border and walk over like I usually do.[/QUOTE]I hear ya. I have had a few strange folks on the Trolly when I did take it the few times. I think it's funny how the government pushes people to use public transportation like it's just "easy". "safe". Bullshit. Now in Japan where society is different, I think it's possible but not in Southern Cal!

-G.

[QUOTE=BrotherMouzone;2764545]LOL, well you may have just gotten unlucky as I've never had anything like those experiences all my times using the trolley (which might be an average of 10-15 times / year for the past several years), even late at night. Of course you see homeless people and the like quite a bit but that doesn't really bother me. They're generally harmless.

My only suggestion would be to consider parking at one of the trolley stations much closer to Tijuana. I. e. , Palomar St. Or closer (Palomar St. Is where I always park and never had issues there). Still free parking and minimizes the time you're on the trolley. No more than 10 minutes.[/QUOTE]Consider yourself lucky! I have had several strange occurrences on that trolley. To your point, I'm typically riding to and from America Plaza. So maybe the longer ride gives me more opportunity? Perhaps. It's not the homeless that bother me. It's the mental health issues and people high as a kite and out of their mind that can be downright scary. On numerous occasions, someone will get on the trolley, get in someone's face and just scream nonsense. The San Ysidro trolley station itself was in really rough shape my last visit. After entering the US on foot at 3 AM, there were several people in the area that were trouble.

I think it's just a sign of the times, and not just the trolley. When I arrived at SAN, there was a woman screaming, punching and kicking the ATM near the entrance doors in Terminal 1. It went on for at leaat 5 minutes before someone took her away. Honest to God, I don't fear these incidents but I do regret them; it's as though the US is more dangerous than when I'm in Tijuana.

Never realized people were so scared to use the trolly. It's always seemed safe for me the 4 times I've traveled to San. From America plaza and usually after 10 pm. Only the last time a girl in a group told me she liked my shoes and a couple moments later she almost got into a fight with some kid haha. But other than that it's always been peaceful.

No security on the trolley. Consider updating your safety training including pepper spray ownership.

[QUOTE=Anthony2023;2764921]Never realized people were so scared to use the trolly. It's always seemed safe for me the 4 times I've traveled to San. From America plaza and usually after 10 pm. Only the last time a girl in a group told me she liked my shoes and a couple moments later she almost got into a fight with some kid haha. But other than that it's always been peaceful.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Anthony2023;2764921]Never realized people were so scared to use the trolly. It's always seemed safe for me the 4 times I've traveled to San. From America plaza and usually after 10 pm. Only the last time a girl in a group told me she liked my shoes and a couple moments later she almost got into a fight with some kid haha. But other than that it's always been peaceful.[/QUOTE]I'm a new member of trying to take the trolley. A few weeks ago the parking was so packed and so expensive on a Saturday I turned around and headed for a trolley lot. The first trip was a bit scarey as a dude who looked like the axe murder starts telling me from across the aisle I'm to close to him. The return trip I notice a guy wearing a big knife and his face masked up. Damn I feel much safer in Tijuana.

But since then I have used the trolley a few times. The free parking and the ease of having the trolley feet from where you exit mexico and delivered feet from your car is great. For sure I will use this option on a day of the week when I know parking in san ysidro will be a shit show.

The homeless & other weirdo's don't concern me. If you don't feel safe call transit security. But some girls have told me that they don't feel safe riding the trolley's or buses sometimes.

[QUOTE=Anthony2023;2764921]Never realized people were so scared to use the trolly. It's always seemed safe for me the 4 times I've traveled to San. From America plaza and usually after 10 pm. Only the last time a girl in a group told me she liked my shoes and a couple moments later she almost got into a fight with some kid haha. But other than that it's always been peaceful.[/QUOTE]

Heading to Guanajuato soon and trying to recharge a Telcel phone number I have.

It gives option of "Saldo Amigo" or "Entretenimiento". Tried googling trying to find out the difference but still makes little sense to me.

I normally just go into OXXO and do it but I wanted to be able to do it from TelCel's website.

Any ideas if you want text, data, sms etc. (not just internet) which you would select?

-G.

[QUOTE=Gregyyr;2765113]Heading to Guanajuato soon and trying to recharge a Telcel phone number I have.

It gives option of "Saldo Amigo" or "Entretenimiento". Tried googling trying to find out the difference but still makes little sense to me.

I normally just go into OXXO and do it but I wanted to be able to do it from TelCel's website.

Any ideas if you want text, data, sms etc. (not just internet) which you would select?

-G.[/QUOTE]Put 200 pesos on your phone and you automatically get the promotions. I avoid the other jive.

[QUOTE=Artisttyp;2765130]Put 200 pesos on your phone and you automatically get the promotions. I avoid the other jive.[/QUOTE]Telcel, for 200 pesos, has paquettes, that have about 3 GB of data included, and unlimitied talk and text for 30 days. Others are available with more data, all expire in 30 days. Telcel is the only phone I have, I buy the 200 peso paquettes, phone works in the USA too, all included. Been doing that for years now.

[QUOTE=Anthony2023;2764921]Never realized people were so scared to use the trolly. It's always seemed safe for me the 4 times I've traveled to San. From America plaza and usually after 10 pm. Only the last time a girl in a group told me she liked my shoes and a couple moments later she almost got into a fight with some kid haha. But other than that it's always been peaceful.[/QUOTE]Yeah, I've just never had the problems others are describing. Whether it be on the San Diego trolley or the public transportation I used regularly for 15+ years on the East Coast prior to COVID (now I mostly work from home and don't use nearly as much). Sure, there are plenty of homeless / weirdos that use public transportation but they've never bothered me other than very occasional asking for some change.

But I've personally never felt "threatened" and have always felt comfortable with the trolley and other forms of public transportation. When I travel from the airport to San Ysidro, I usually have a backpack and small luggage (containing some valuables) and even still have always felt comfortable and never been bothered. Don't know if it's maybe different for me because I'm a minority (African-American) with an athletic build, LOL. But my thought regardless is if you park at a trolley station within 3 stops or so of San Ysidro, the shorter ride should minimize problems. When the trolley stops at a station you can also always get out of the trolley car you're on and move to the next one (which I've seen people do occasionally) if you feel uncomfortable.

With all that said I do want to point out the two craziest things I've ever seen when riding public transportation (both were close to home on a subway system I frequently use on the East Coast, not the San Diego trolley):

1) Guy sitting down openly masturbating through his pants during rush hour. The subway car was mostly full but he was towards the back so I was probably the only one who noticed as I was also sitting in the back across from him. He was stroking it through his pants so wasn't exposed or anything like that, but was stroking it pretty hard LOL.

2) Several years ago a heavyset woman who was clearly mentally ill gets on the subway car I'm on and starts talking to herself for a few minutes. She then takes her top completely off (so is completely naked from the chest up), takes a banana out of a bag she has, holds the banana up to her ear, and starts talking on it as if the banana was a phone. There were a handful of other people on the subway car at the time (mostly younger adults), and most started laughing.

Both situations were obviously ridiculously weird but both were more amusing to me than uncomfortable.

Tijuana is expanding the pedestrian border crossing. The pouring concrete for a new lane for pedestrians. It looked as though they going to install new railings Supposedly this is to reduce line cutting. The US custocustoms should either widen or install another crossing gate where people cross into the US. They need a separate line when they need to more closely examine someones documents. Another possibility would be to have separate line for people with passports or US citizens with them. It is also strange that the US customs has not reopened Pedwest. My guess is that the US customs feel that it is better to assign more officers to Ped-east to speed things up.

I also noticed that the construction workers have finally started pouring concrete for the sidewalks on Nino's Hero's. They were also digging a trench on Coonstitucion. I don't know why they did not redo the streets one at a time. It is ridiculous that they have been bare for over a month now.

[URL]https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/border-baja-california/story/2022-11-23/tijuana-expanding-pedestrian-crosswalk-at-the-san-ysidro-border[/URL]