Electric Microtransit Pilot Initiative Kicks Off by SANDAG and Urban Collaborative Project
The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and the Urban Collaborative Project have launched a groundbreaking four-year pilot program called Southeastern Connect (SE Connect) on Aug. 12. This innovative, fully electric, on-demand microtransit service aims to enhance mobility, sustainability, and equity in the historically underserved Southeastern San Diego neighborhoods of Chollas View, Emerald Hills, Mount Hope, Valencia Park, and Lincoln Park [1][2][3][4][5].
SE Connect is operated by Via Transportation and can be accessed through the Via San Diego mobile app or by calling. The service offers low-cost, zero-emission rides for up to four passengers, connecting residents and visitors to essential destinations including supermarkets, hospitals, schools, employment centers, and the regional transit network [1][2][3][4][5].
The $3.8 million funding for the program comes from a combination of federal, state, and local sources, including SANDAG, the City of San Diego, and state grant programs. Federal support has been highlighted as crucial by local officials to help maintain connectivity for residents without cars and to address affordability challenges amid rising living costs [2][3].
The Urban Collaborative Project, a community-led organisation that has united San Diego's historically disinvested communities to advocate for accessible and equitable transportation, played a significant role in making SE Connect possible. The CEO of the Urban Collaborative Project, Brian Pollard, emphasised that community voice and resident action were crucial in the development of Southeastern Connect [1][2][3][4][5].
SE Connect's impact on accessible and equitable transportation includes providing convenient, low-cost, and environmentally friendly mobility options in neighbourhoods with limited transit access, facilitating connections to larger transit systems, operating fully electric vehicles, partnering with community organisations, offering technology-enabled on-demand service, and ensuring riders can request wheelchair-accessible vehicles [1][2][3][4][5].
From November onwards, ridership data will be gathered to determine fare implementation options. The Urban Collaborative Project is grateful to all partners for listening, collaborating, and making the Southeastern Connect vision a reality. SANDAG has also collaborated with agencies across the region to expand on-demand, shared transportation services to reach more users [1][2][3][4][5].
By addressing transportation gaps through microtransit, SE Connect supports a more equitable, connected, and sustainable transportation future for Southeastern San Diego residents. The service connects residents and visitors to local destinations and public transit, helping to reduce air pollution and congestion in the community [1][2][3][4][5].
[1] https://sandag.org/projects/southeastern-connect [2] https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/transportation/story/2021-08-12/sandag-urban-collaborative-project-launch-microtransit-pilot-southeastern-connect [3] https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/transportation/story/2021-08-12/sandag-launches-southeastern-connect-microtransit-service-to-serve-san-diegos-historically-disinvested-communities [4] https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/sandag-launches-southeastern-connect-microtransit-service-in-se-san-diego [5] https://www.cbs8.com/news/local-news/sandag-launches-southeastern-connect-microtransit-service-in-southeastern-san-diego/article_1828aa3e-c17c-11eb-951a-5b9e65d0b3d6.html
- The microtransit service SE Connect, which is a collaborative effort between SANDAG and the Urban Collaborative Project, is revolutionizing the transportation industry in Southeastern San Diego by providing low-cost, environmentally-friendly rides using fully electric vehicles.
- The financing for SE Connect's four-year pilot program comes from a blend of federal, state, and local sources, with the urban industry including SANDAG, the City of San Diego, and state grant programs instrumental in its funding.
- The Southeastern Connect project is not only amplifying the accessibility and affordability of transportation in historically underserved neighborhoods but also contributing significantly to the environmental-science domain by reducing air pollution and promoting sustainable practices in transportation.
