San Diego Supervisors Call for Expanded Free Transit for People Released From Jail

One county supervisor argued that mobility is key to helping people released from custody reenter society and access housing and services.

1 minute read

December 27, 2024, 7:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


San Diego Hall of Justice, California.

Hall of Justice, San Diego, California. | f8grapher / Adobe Stock

A San Diego County Supervisor is asking county officials to expand a free transit program for people released from the county jail, who are often left with few options for securing affordable transportation.

“Under current practices, only those people leaving jail with less than $7 in cash are given free transit,” explains Jeff McDonald in The San Diego Union-Tribune. In a memo, Supervisor Jim Desmond said, “We have heard from community members and local elected officials that those released from VDF struggle to navigate the public transportation systems and are left wandering the streets of Vista.” According to Desmond, “Limited transportation options act as barriers to reentry, exacerbating challenges faced by the formerly incarcerated population and hindering their ability to rebuild their lives.” 

In response, the Board directed city departments to develop a program for universal free transit passes for people released from custody as part of its Alternatives to Custody initiative. “Over coming months, county officials plan to hold more discussions to expand the transportation element of the Alternatives to Custody program to include housing, counseling, job-training and a host of other services.”

Wednesday, December 25, 2024 in The San Diego Union-Tribune

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

"Altadena - Not For Sale" yard sign in front of burned down house after Eaton Fire in Altadena, California in January 2025.

Half of Post-Fire Altadena Home Sales Were to Corporations

Large investors are quietly buying up dozens of properties in Altadena, California, where a devastating wildfire destroyed more than 6,000 homes in January.

July 7 - Dwell

Dense multistory residential buildings in hilly San Francisco, California.

Opinion: What San Francisco’s Proposed ‘Family Zoning’ Could Really Mean

Mayor Lurie is using ‘family zoning’ to encourage denser development and upzoning — but could the concept actually foster community and more human-scale public spaces?

July 7 - The San Francisco Standard

Blue self-driving Ford Transit van shuttle in Jacksonville, Florida.

Jacksonville Launches First Autonomous Transit Shuttle in US

A fleet of 14 fully autonomous vehicles will serve a 3.5-mile downtown Jacksonville route with 12 stops.

July 7 - Smart Cities Dive

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.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA