by A four-year pilot project to provide electric, on-demand microtransit service in southeast San Diego was launched by the San Diego Association of Governments on Tuesday.
Through the Via San Diego smartphone app or by phoning 619-413-9986, residents in Chollas View, Emerald Hills, Mount Hope, and other areas can utilize the new Southeastern Connect, or Connect for short.
Via Transportation is running the new service, which will be free until November and offers zero-emission journeys for up to four people.
SANDAG said that in order to evaluate future fare options, ridership data will be collected over the first three months. Wheelchair-accessible cars can also be requested by riders.
According to San Diego Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera, who is also the vice chair of the SANDAG Transportation Committee, this new connection will make it easier for people to travel throughout Southeastern communities and offer affordable access to vital locations like supermarkets, hospitals, schools, job centers, and our transit system.
He continued by saying that SE Connect is assisting in addressing the growing cost of living that makes it difficult for a lot of San Diegans to get to work and services without a car by making it simple and affordable to do so.
Elo-Rivera was joined at the Market Creek Plaza introduction of the shuttle service by state senator Dr. Akilah Weber Pierson and colleague Henry L. Foster III of the San Diego City Council.
Federal, state, and local funds are being used to support the $3.8 million pilot project. The Clean Mobility Options program, the city of San Diego, and SANDAG are among the funders.
SANDAG has introduced the shared transportation service known as microtransit to another community in the county by collaborating with the Urban Collaborative Project at Market Creek Plaza.
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San Marcos, Vista, El Cajon, and Chula Vista are more locations. Additionally, pilot initiatives have been conducted in Pacific Beach, downtown San Diego, Carlsbad, and Coronado.
Brian Pollard, CEO of the Urban Collaborative Project, stated that Southeastern Connect would not have been feasible without the continuous involvement of our community. We can’t wait to see it become a reality and benefit our communities. We want to thank all of our partners for listening, working together, and helping us realize our goal.
