SANDAG and the city of San Diego launched a free electric shuttle service for Pacific Beach on Wednesday in an effort to reduce parking congestion and support climate goals.
Rides on The Beach Bug, a fleet of four shuttle vehicles, can be hailed by the Circuit App. It’s free for the next three months, then $2.50 a day afterward.
“This new shuttle service will better serve both residents and visitors in Pacific Beach,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “By making a connection to a nearby trolley stop, the Beach Bug will give people the option to use public transit to access the beach and nearby restaurants, shops and other destinations in PB.”
“The size and speed of these electric shuttles make them an ideal transit option for short trips in dense neighborhoods where parking is a challenge,” he said.
The service is similar to Free Ride Everywhere Downtown — or FRED — that is also available via the Circuit App.
“This is the low-impact ‘last mile’ solution that helps residents and visitors get around, reduces congestion, curtails parking impacts and helps our Pacific Beach businesses thrive,” said City Councilmember Joe LaCava, who represents the area.
The service will be funded in part by money collected from parking meters. During a two-year pilot program, other funding options will be explored.
Summer hours for the new Pacific Beach service are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays; and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays.
