They're finally here! Over a year and a half after the City signed the deal with Velocity Truck Centers, the first new trucks are coming in. In order to comply with California's new law, SB1383, the City is rolling out hundreds of thousands of green organic waste carts, buying a new fleet of 98(?) trucks, and is filling 60 new driver positions.
As of writing this, they have at least 7 units already (401-407). In January these trucks will take on the first organics routes, and by August the city plans to have organics service at every home that receives city trash service.
Watch as the Rapid Rail is tested by San Diego's demanding routes, with construction debris (3:22), alleys (6:20) and cart lines throughout. Some feedback from the driver: the legal payload is just 10 tons, compared to 11.5 with an Amrep. Overall the Rapid Rail adds an hour and a half to his routes compared to an Amrep. Although the City was having lots of problems with Amrep (cylinders failing, poor customer service), they would have benefitted to look at other competitor's bodies more closely.
Filmed in San Ysidro and City Heights on December 8-9, 2022
Big thanks to the driver!