Flexible Fleets are on-demand, shared transportation services that help people reach their destinations or connect to transit. Rides are typically reserved through a mobile application. Flexible Fleets are a key strategy for improving mobility and access through the region, and SANDAG has been collaborating with agencies across the region to expand Flexible Fleet services to reach more users. The 2025 Regional Plan includes 36 microtransit service zones.
Multiple types of flexible fleets exist and serve different needs within communities:
- Microtransit provides rides for up to 15 passengers within a defined service area (ranging in size from .5 to 4.5 miles) on a fixed or on-demand route. Vehicles can be any type of gas or electric car, van, or bus.
- Neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) shuttles are a specific type of microtransit that provide rides for up to 6 passengers within a service area of .5 to 2 miles. NEVs are permitted to operate on streets with speed limits of 25 miles per hour or less.
- Micromobility fleets offer small, low-speed, vehicles such as e-scooters, bikes, and other electric rideables.
- Rideshare includes carpools, vanpools, and pooled ridehailing services such as Uber, Lyft, and taxis that link passengers with available drivers.
- Carshare options offer short-term rental vehicles through companies with fleets of vehicles (such as Zipcar) or individuals who use peer-to-peer systems (such as Turo).
Learn more about specific microtransit services offered in the San Diego region. Flexible Fleet services are typically reserved on-demand through a mobile app or through a hotline. SANDAG and other public agencies work with service providers to ensure there are options for people without a smartphone or credit card.
Implementation Strategy
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 is environmentally friendly and makes the region more accessible.
The Flexible Fleets Task Force bridges strategic plan recommendations with pilot implementation. The group discusses pilot opportunities, partnerships, and potential hurdles while sharing best practices, reviewing case studies, and evaluating industry trends. Regionwide Flexible Fleets data can be viewed on SANDAG’s Open Data Portal.
Flexible Fleets Pilot Grant Program
At SANDAG, we are committed to expanding shared mobility travel choices, enhancing transit connections, filling transit gaps, improving air quality, and advancing the goals of the Regional Plan. The Flexible Fleets Pilot Grant Program will provide $4.5 million for projects that help achieve these goals.
Throughout 2025, SANDAG presented the program and collected feedback from working groups and Policy Advisory Committees. In 2026, SANDAG will release a Flexible Fleets call for projects inviting local, state, federal, and tribal governmental agencies, military institutions, and transit districts to submit projects for funding consideration during the 90-day application period. Grant agreements will be issued in 2026.
Contact grantsdistribution@sandag.org for more information.
