San Diego Circuit Shuttle Ending – NBC 7
San Diego’s Circuit rideshare program faces a potential shutdown by June 30 due to a meaningful budget shortfall, potentially impacting thousands of riders. The city cites a $260 million deficit as the driving force behind the cuts, jeopardizing an affordable and accessible transportation option for downtown residents.Circuit fulfilled a vital role. Understand the implications for riders with disabilities,low-income individuals,and those relying on this service for work and essential trips. The article details the concerns of passengers, drivers, and the city’s efforts to find alternative funding and program structures to maintain mobility services.News Directory 3 is hear to shed light on matters that affect you. Discover what’s next for the Circuit electric shuttle.
San diego’s Circuit Rideshare Faces Cuts Due to Budget Shortfall
Updated June 26, 2025
Downtown San Diego residents may soon lose a low-cost transportation option as the Circuit electric shuttle program faces a possible shutdown at the end of june. The city cites a notable budget shortfall as the reason for potentially ending the affordable rideshare service.
Angela Milner, a frequent passenger, expressed disbelief upon learning the news. The city reports that circuit has provided rides to 78,000 passengers this fiscal year. For many, including those with mobility challenges, the Circuit rideshare program fills a crucial gap.
“This helps a lot, especially being disabled,” Milner said. “I have sciatica and back problems, so it helps where the busses don’t take you. It’s very helpful.”
The city is prioritizing infrastructure improvements. A city spokesperson stated that parking meter revenues will be used for “necessary safety and infrastructure improvements like streetlight repairs in FY26.” The city is exploring other options to maintain mobility services.
Irma Fernandez, a Circuit driver, relies on the job to supplement her income. She worries about the impact on her regular passengers if the affordable rideshare program ends.
some of them that live downtown are older and live on a budget,” Fernandez said. “It’s bad for them because Lyft and others, when ther are games, it goes up for them, so they can’t afford to take it, so this was convenient.”
The FRED program, later rebranded as Circuit, began in August 2016, using parking meter revenue to subsidize rides. The affordable, eco-kind transportation initially expanded to Pacific beach, but that service closed last year. Other ride programs continue in North Park and City Heights.
Geovanna Medel, a law student who uses Circuit several times a week, hopes the city finds a solution. She relies on the affordable rideshare, especially for grocery trips.
Consider that there are students who rely on this and people that rely on this transportation to go to work. A lot of us our lower income, so just bare in mind we could use this assistance, and I’m sad to hear it go,” Medel said.
While June 30 is the current end date, an extension remains possible.Circuit is also seeking partnerships to sustain the program and continue providing affordable rideshare options.
What’s next
The city continues to evaluate funding options and explore potential partnerships to maintain affordable transportation services in San Diego. The future of the Circuit rideshare program remains uncertain as the June 30 deadline approaches.