Flexible Fleets is an initiative that uses on-demand transportation services to move around the region. Riders can use these services to reach their destinations or to connect to high-speed transit. The goal of this initiative is to provide affordable transportation choices for all users while helping to reduce air pollution and congestion. There are several types of Flexible Fleets:
- Micromobility fleets offer small, low-speed, vehicles such as e-scooters, bikes, and other electric rideables.
- Rideshare/ridehail include carpools, vanpools, and pooled ridehailing services such as Uber, Lyft, and taxis that link passengers with available drivers.
- Carshare offer private rental vehicles from peer-to-peer car rental companies that allow people to pay based on the amount of time the care is used.
- Microtransit shuttles are multipassenger vehicles that carry 5 to 15 passengers and provide rides within a defined service area.
- Neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) shuttles are low-speed electric vehicles hailed with a smartphone app that offer short trips (up to three miles) on a fixed or on-demand route.
As these services are typically reserved through a mobile app, SANDAG and other public agencies are working with the private sector to ensure there are options for people without a smartphone or credit card.
In efforts to implement the Regional Plan, SANDAG developed a Flexible Fleets Implementation Strategic Plan. The plan identifies priority Flexible Fleet service areas and provides a detailed roadmap for deploying services in a way that helps make the region more accessible and environmentally friendly. Additionally, the Draft Proposed 2025 Regional Plan Transportation Network includes 36 Flexible Fleets service areas.
Flexible Fleet Providers
In 2022, SANDAG started a process to select service providers to design, deploy, operate, and monitor on-demand flexible fleets throughout the region. Contracts with these providers are available to local jurisdictions and transit agencies. SANDAG's Board of Directors has approved $25 million across all categories of service over a three-year term beginning in 2023 with two additional one-year options.
Contracts include:
- Via Transportation—microtransit
- Circuit Transit—neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) shuttles
- Getaround—carshare
As we implement the Regional Plan, SANDAG anticipates a variety of partnerships including healthcare, education, non-profits and local jurisdictions. This process for Flexible Fleets services will encourage a competitive procurement process, provide consistent customer experiences for Flexible Fleets services, and help develop contracts to support data sharing and planning needs.
Please contact flexiblefleets@sandag.org for more information.
Flexible Fleet Grant Programs
At SANDAG, we are committed to expanding shared mobility travel choices, enhancing transit connections, filling transit gaps, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled. In spring 2025, SANDAG will release a Flexible Fleets call for projects. San Diego public agencies, military institutions, and tribal governments will be invited to submit a project for funding consideration during the 90-day application period. The program will distribute $4.5 million to awardees. Grant agreements will be issued fall 2025.
Throughout the winter and spring 2025, SANDAG presented the program and collected feedback from working groups and Policy Advisory Committees. Contact grantsdistribution@sandag.org for more information.
