SANDAG Awards $4.5 Million for Flexible Fleets Across the San Diego Region

The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) awarded $4.5 million to cities and organizations across the San Diego region to fund flexible fleet projects through its Flexible Fleets Pilot Grant Program.

Flexible fleets are on-demand shared transportation options, such as electric shuttles, minivans, or small buses, that take passengers to local destinations or connect to transit within a designated service area. These services provide connections in areas that have limited transportation options.

“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.”

Supporting new microtransit services, funding will be distributed to North County Transit-San Diego Railroad, the University of California San Diego, the City of La Mesa, the City of Escondido, and the County of San Diego. To enhance existing microtransit services, funding will be distributed to the City of Chula Vista and the City of Solana Beach.

These investments aim to reduce commuting time and encourage riders to reach other parts of their communities. They will help students get around campus and support older adults traveling to medical appointments. Some of the services are anticipated to start operations as early as 2027.