Escondido council unanimously approves application for SANDAG microtransit grant to test on‑demand van service

The Escondido City Council on June 17 unanimously authorized staff to apply for a SANDAG flexible‑fleets microtransit grant that would fund a two‑year pilot of on‑demand van service to fill first‑/last‑mile gaps in the city’s transit network.

Craig Williams, who identified himself as a member of the traffic engineering group in Development Services, said the program would contract with a vendor to operate two or three vans that riders could request by app or phone. The service would pick up riders and either drop them at their destination or deliver them to a fixed‑route transit stop. Williams said similar programs in nearby cities have converted underperforming fixed routes into useful connections and that typical grant awards are about $1 million.

Williams told the council the pilot’s estimated operating cost is about $500,000 a year; the grant would cover the first two years and the city would have the option of funding continued operation by sponsorship or appropriation. He said the city would not buy vehicles; a contracted operator would supply vehicles and drivers. Council members asked whether rides would consolidate multiple passengers (pooled trips) and what rider fares might be; Williams said staff will ask vendors for details and return with pricing and pooling information.

Council Member Fitzgerald and others asked whether electric vehicles were available; Williams said staff would explore EV options and the council was encouraged to pursue Air Pollution Control District grants to offset costs. Council Member Fitzgerald said the program could help youth, seniors and people with disabilities reach after‑school programs and appointments.

The motion to authorize the grant application passed 5‑0.