The Free Ride Everywhere Downtown (FRED) shuttle system in San Diego is so popular that demand sometimes overwhelms the number of available shuttles. The city has redoubled its commitment to the system.
"Downtown San Diego’s 'free' shuttle service — known by the friendly acronym FRED — will get an expanded fleet that officials hope will improve the private company’s performance, after a first year when riders got a 'busy' message sometimes as much as half the time," reports Jeanette Steele.
"San Diego will spend up to $5.7 million over five years to help New York-based The Free Ride put more all-electric shuttles on downtown streets," adds Steele. "The money comes from revenue from parking meters and public garages downtown."
The article includes more details about the plans to expand the FRED system, as well as the history of The Free Ride, which was "founded in 2011 by two twentysomething entrepreneurs," and got its start "providing gratis rides around the Hamptons beach enclave in New York."
"To date, FRED has serviced 140,000 San Diego riders, with a high point of 12,500 trips in August," according to Steele.
FULL STORY: Free Ride shuttle: Riders getting "busy" signal but help on way with extra funding
Five Key Transportation Funding Proposals in Trump’s Budget
The President’s proposed 2026 budget would keep spending roughly the same for transit and rail and eliminate over $5 billion in funding for EV charging infrastructure.
Where USDOT Awarded $3.2 Billion in Grants
The department announced awards for projects that include intercity rail, low-emission buses, and tech-driven transit improvements.
NRDC Releases State Transportation Scorecard
The Getting Transportation Right report highlights which states are making the most progress on reducing transportation emissions and improving access to clean transportation options.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)