SANDAG - San Diego Association of Governments
10/23/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/23/2026 15:53
SANDAG Awards $4.5 Million for On-Demand, Shared Transportation Services Across the San Diego Region
- News
- SANDAG Awards $4.5 Million for On-Demand, Shared Transportation Services Across the San Diego Region
10.23.2026 | News Release
SANDAG Awards $4.5 Million for On-Demand, Shared Transportation Services Across the San Diego Region
Flexible fleets to provide links between key destinations and transit
The SANDAG Board of Directors awarded $4.5 million to cities and organizations across the San Diego region to fund flexible fleet projects through SANDAG's first ever Flexible Fleets Pilot Grant Program.
Flexible fleets are on-demand shared transportation options, such as electric shuttles, minivans, or small buses, that help people get where they need to go locally or connect to transit within a designated service area. These transportation services will expand travel choices and provide essential connections in areas that currently have limited transportation options, while also improving air quality by reducing private vehicle dependence for shorter trips.
"Flexible fleets provide essential first and last mile connections to areas traditional transit may not reach," said SANDAG Chair and Solana Beach Mayor Lesa Heebner. "SANDAG is building the foundation for new partnerships with non-profits, local jurisdictions, and service providers to create a regional model that better serves the diverse needs of our communities."
The funding will be distributed to five new and two existing microtransit services. The awardees and funding distributions are listed below:
| Applicant | New/Existing Service Type | Award Amount |
| North County Transit-San Diego Railroad | New microtransit pilot | $810,000 |
| University of California San Diego | New microtransit pilot | $246,650 |
| City of La Mesa | New microtransit pilot | $859,384 |
| City of Escondido | New microtransit pilot | $1,000,000 |
| County of San Diego | New microtransit pilot | $1,000,000 |
| City of Chula Vista | Enhance existing microtransit pilot | $375,000 |
| City of Solana Beach | Enhance existing microtransit pilot | $208,966 |
| Total Award | $4,500,000 |
The new and enhanced microtransit services will facilitate travel around campus for students and non-students, reduce commuting time, support older adults traveling to medical appointments, and encourage users to discover new corners of their communities. Some of the services are anticipated to start operations as early as 2027.
SANDAG has also helped fund, plan, launch, and monitor several successful pilots with local partners, including the Beach Bug and Southeastern Connect in the City of San Diego and gO'side Shuttle in the City of Oceanside.
In 2024, the SANDAG Board of Directors approved a one-time allocation of the Federal Highway Administration's Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) funds to launch the Flexible Fleets Pilot Grant Program.
To learn more, visit SANDAG.org/flexiblefleets
SANDAG - San Diego Association of Governments published this content on October 23, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 23, 2026 at 21:53 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]