San Diego, CA - To address parking challenges and provide convenient transportation to residents and visitors, Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer, Civic San Diego, and the Downtown San Diego Partnership announced the official launch of a new circulator program on Monday. The program, called Free Ride Everywhere Downtown or “FRED”, is a new all-electric shuttle system that will operate seven days a week within downtown San Diego’s eight neighborhoods. The program’s initial funding comes primarily from parking meter revenues within the downtown area, along with private sponsorships.

The FRED program aims to reduce congestion in the downtown area by encouraging the use of public transit, while also providing more sustainable and efficient transit options for short trips. Starting with fifteen vehicles, the fleet is expected to grow to twenty shuttles within a year, and the service operates from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm Monday through Thursday, and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. The service hours are from 8:00 am to midnight on Saturdays, and 9:00 am to 9:00 pm on Sundays.

Users can request shuttle pickup through a mobile app called The Free Ride that can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play. Fares are free, thanks to dedicated funding from Civic San Diego, which manages the Downtown Community Parking District, as well as private sponsorships.

Commenting on the launch, Reese A. Jarrett, President of Civic San Diego, stated: “We are very excited about the launch of FRED as we continue to increase mobility options in our downtown…Through this public-private partnership, we are reducing congestion and decreasing our carbon footprint within the downtown community. Residents, workers and visitors will be able to navigate downtown…in a free and convenient way.”

Kris Michell, President of the Downtown San Diego Partnership, added: “We are excited to bring this new free transportation option to the mix of available ways to navigate Downtown…This new service will only add to the quality of life that makes our urban center a dynamic place to live, work and play.”

The FRED program’s goal is to become fully sustainable within the next few years via private sponsorships, with public funds being phased out. To learn more about FRED or sponsorship opportunities, visit TheFreeRide.com/san-diego.php

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