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.

Users will be able to request a pick up via a mobile app called the Free Ride. The shuttles are free to the public thanks to dedicated funding from Civic San Diego, which manages the Downtown Community Parking District, and private sponsorships.

We spoke exclusively with Jarrett about the FRED program and how it will impact commercial and residential real estate in Downtown San Diego.

GlobeSt.com: What are the most interesting aspects of the FRED program as they relate to Downtown San Diego's infrastructure?

Jarrett: First of all, FRED is a public/private partnership between the San Diego Free Ride Co. and Civic San Diego to increase mobility in our Downtown. One of the primary focuses of the program is to help reduce Downtown San Diego's carbon footprint by deploying 15 all electric vehicles to provide on-demand shuttle service to residents, workers and visitors Downtown. The more FRED vehicles on the street, the fewer cars there will be on the road searching for parking and creating congestion and emissions. The service covers the entire 1,500 acres of our downtown and is provided for free to all who use it. In addition to hailing down one of these vehicles on the street, a ride can also be requested on your smartphone through the Free Ride app. Anyone requesting a ride can expect a driver to arrive within 8 minutes. The program is anticipated to ultimately become self-sufficient with the sale of advertising on the vehicles.

GlobeSt.com: How will this program affect commercial and residential real estate in this submarket?

Jarrett: Developers understand how important mobility is to those seeking commercial and residential real estate in Downtown San Diego. FRED offers one more mobility option and will allow those who live, work and visit Downtown to be less dependent on their own personal vehicles. More and more people who choose to live Downtown are adopting various methods of travel as multi-modal transit choices increase with development. This was reflected in the recent adoption of the Downtown San Diego Mobility Plan that includes increased pedestrian, bicycle and transit options. FRED also serves to meet the need of the “last mile,” as those who take public transit can easily transfer onto a vehicle and to their final destination.

GlobeSt.com: What other infrastructure-related changes are forthcoming to Downtown San Diego?

Jarrett: Civic San Diego is involved in numerous infrastructure-related projects for our Downtown. We recently completed the renovation and expansion of Horton Plaza Park in the heart of Downtown. This 1.3-acre park is another public/private partnership, this time with the Westfield Co. Westfield will be responsible for the ongoing maintenance of this public park as well as activating the space with up to 200 events each year for all of San Diego to enjoy. With the growing population of Downtown, reaching nearly 40,000 residents, CivicSD is also overseeing the building of a new fire station, the first in more than 40 years. Additionally, plans are underway to develop one of the largest parks in Downtown, East Village Green, located in the East Village neighborhood of Downtown, which will include a 200-space public parking garage. We recently completed a wayfinding-sign program that provided more than 200 signs to direct people to our many attractions, identify their location and navigate the eight distinct neighborhoods of Downtown. CivicSD continues to find innovative ways to improve the quality of life in our Downtown.

GlobeSt.com: What else should our readers know about the FRED program?

Jarrett: Two weeks into the launch, the demand has been incredible since people are using FRED seven days a week. FRED has experienced more than 5,000 downloads of the mobile app. The program operates seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to midnight on Friday, 8 a.m. to midnight on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday. To download the app, learn more about FRED and inquire about sponsorship opportunities, visit TheFreeRide.com/fred.

We spoke exclusively with Jarrett about the FRED program and how it will impact commercial and residential real estate in Downtown San Diego.

GlobeSt.com: What are the most interesting aspects of the FRED program as they relate to Downtown San Diego's infrastructure?

GlobeSt.com: How will this program affect commercial and residential real estate in this submarket?

GlobeSt.com: What other infrastructure-related changes are forthcoming to Downtown San Diego?

GlobeSt.com: What else should our readers know about the FRED program?

Instant Insights /

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