By SDCN Staff
San Diego, CA–Residents in Southeastern San Diego have a new option for transportation, thanks to a new pilot program launched by city officials.
SANDAG Transportation Committee Vice Chair and San Diego City Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera joined partners from the Urban Collaborative Project at Market Creek Plaza to officially launch Southeastern Connect, a four-year pilot program that will offer a new, fully electric, on-demand microtransit service in the Southeastern neighborhoods of the City of San Diego, including Chollas View, Emerald Hills, and Mount Hope.
“This new connection will allow people to get around Southeastern communities in a more convenient way, providing low-cost access to essential places like supermarkets, hospitals, educational institutions, employment centers, and our transit network,” said SANDAG Transportation Committee Vice Chair and City of San Diego Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera.
“By making it easy and cheap to reach jobs and services without a car, SE Connect is helping address the rising cost of living that makes it hard for so many San Diegans to make it. This service is a great example of the diverse range of strategies SANDAG is implementing to shape a more sustainable, connected, and equitable future for our region.”
From Oceanside to South County, SANDAG has collaborated with agencies across the region to expand on-demand, shared transportation services, also known as microtransit, to reach more users.
“This new zero-emission neighborhood transportation service is an important addition for Southeastern San Diego communities. Thanks in part to federal support, this service will help residents to stay connected and get where they need to go,” said Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-52).
The new service, operated by Via Transportation, will provide zero-emission rides for up to four passengers within the Southeastern community. It will connect residents and visitors to local destinations and public transit while helping to reduce air pollution and congestion. Riders can also request wheelchair accessible vehicles.
“Southeastern Connect is more than a transportation project. It connects our neighborhoods and delivers a clean, zero-emission transit option that improves public health, and further protects our Chollas Creek Watershed — building a safer, healthier Southeastern San Diego,” said City of San Diego Councilmember Henry Foster III.
The $3.8 million pilot program is funded through a combination of federal, state, and local sources. Funders include SANDAG, the City of San Diego, and the Clean Mobility Options program.
“Community voice and resident action are at the heart of our work at the Urban Collaborative Project,” said Urban Collaborative Project CEO Brian Pollard. “Through events like our annual Transportation Justice Expo and our participation in SANDAG’s Social Equity Working Group, we have united San Diego’s historically disinvested communities to advocate for accessible and equitable transportation. Without our community’s consistent engagement, Southeastern Connect would not have been possible.”
Southeastern Connect will be free through November. During the first three months, ridership data will be gathered to determine fare implementation options. The service will be available through the Via San Diego mobile app or by calling (619) 413-9986.
