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
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.
Report: Transportation Equity Requires More Than Electrification
Lower-income households often lack the resources to buy electric cars, signaling a need for a more holistic approach to improving mobility and lowering transportation costs.
Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units
Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process
The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.
Interactive Map Reveals America's “Shade Deserts”
Launched by UCLA and American Forests to combat heat-related deaths, the tool maps the shade infrastructure for over 360 U.S. cities.
Bicycles and Books — In Sacramento, Libraries Now Offer Both
Adult library card holders can check out e-bikes and e-trikes for up to one week.
Colorado Landfills Emit as Much Pollution as 1M Cars
Landfills are the third-largest source of methane pollution in Colorado, after agriculture and fossil fuel extraction.
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.
City of Mt Shasta
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)