New Shuttle Service Revs Up Downtown Infrastructure

Jarrett: “The more FRED vehicles on the street, the fewer cars there will be on the road searching for parking and creating congestion and emissions.”

SAN DIEGO—The new FRED public-transportation program Downtown offers one more mobility option and will allow those who live, work and visit Downtown to be less dependent on their own personal vehicles, Civic San Diego’s president Reese Jarrett tells GlobeSt.com. To provide more efficient and sustainable transit options in San Diego, Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer, Civic San Diego and the Downtown San Diego Partnership recently announced the launch of the new “Free Ride Everywhere Downtown” or “FRED” circulator program in Horton Plaza Park.

The new program, initially funded by Downtown parking-meter revenues under the Community Parking District program, features five-passenger, all-electric vehicles that are designed to augment existing transportation options and make short trips within Downtown’s eight neighborhoods easier. The first program of its size in a major metropolitan city, the initial launch included 15 vehicles with the fleet expected to grow to 20 within the first year.