If the year-round sun, pristine beaches, and perfect weather isn’t enough to draw visitors and residents alike to San Diego, the city’s downtown development agency just gave them one more very big reason: free transportation.
How FRED Works
Led by San Diego’s Mayor, Kevin Faulconer, Free Ride Everywhere Downtown was recently launched in an attempt to decongest downtown’s traffic, making parking both easier and less anxiety inducing for people working and living in the area. The shuttles, operated by Free Ride, a New York-based company, are completely electric and open-air, and promise to pick riders up within eight minutes of requesting a pickup, or instantly when flagged down as they pass them on the streets. Riders can alert shuttles for pickup using the free FRED app.
Where the FRED Shuttles Go
The shuttles will cover the areas south of Laurel Street, west and south of Interstate 5, and west of Barrio Logan, meaning you can take it from your condo in Little Italy to your friends loft in East Village. They will run every day of the week, from 7am to 9pm. Monday through Thursday, later on the weekends, and will even run at variable times on holidays.
Who Is Paying for FRED
Because of advertisements placed both inside and outside the vehicles, Free Ride covers its costs and makes a profit, allowing riders to get to where they need to be at no cost, and with as little stress as possible. The Downtown Residents Group estimates that if this program is successful, car trips within the downtown area could be reduced by 25 percent over the course of the next five years. And this will undoubtedly make for happier and greener San Diego.
Free and easy transportation around the downtown area is just one of the many reason people scoop up real estate for sale in downtown San Diego. If you’re looking for your piece of paradise, give us a call today at (619) 649-0368 and make an appointment! ')}