After a partial opening in September, A Metropolitan Transit Authority bus route that connects one of the most southern points in the county to Downtown San Diego will officially launch to riders.

A fleet of more than a dozen buses with South Bay Rapid 225 will begin transporting riders on Sunday from the East Palomar Transit Station at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry to Ash and Union streets in the heart of downtown San Diego.

Buses will travel the 26-mile route northbound on Interstate 805 via the HOV lane then onto State Route 94, which will riders into downtown for $2.50 each way. Rides will be free until Feb. 2.

For a long stretch through eastern Chula Vista, passengers will travel down a dedicated line on East Palomar, reserved only for rapid buses.

MTS is touting South Bay Rapid 225 as the future for South Bay residents. MTS spokesperson Mark Olson told NBC 7 in September that 30 million of the total 85 million trips taken every year are in the South Bay.

The agency expects 5,000 to 7,000 people to use South Bay Rapid 225 each day.

The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), a local transportation organization that is also in support of the transit project, said South Bay Rapid 225 is better for the environment, will decrease traffic and should save people time and money.

Source: NBC San Diego.com