If you’re frustrated with the rush hour commute between eastern Chula Vista and downtown San Diego, a solution is coming your way in the near future. SANDAG is assisting the City of Chula Vista to launch a transportation campaign that will offer incentives to commuters to rideshare. The program is called Chula Vista Express or CVX, and is funded by monies from local developers and a grant from the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District. CVX will help manage the demand on streets and highways encouraging commuters to carpool, vanpool, ride mass transit, bike or walk to work and changing long-term driving habits. Residents who sign up and follow through with the program will be paid $2 per day for every day they participate during the first 3 months.
According to a recent study, 21 percent of rush hour commuters from eastern Chula Vista are traveling to downtown San Diego to work. And they travel alone. In addition to urging commuters to carpool or vanpool, the program will offer a free express bus service during the morning and afternoon. Another free express service will carry commuters from eastern Chula Vista to a nearby Trolley station.
The City has teamed with SANDAG to operate and manage the program for two years. RideLink, the regional rideshare program, will administer the financial incentives and lead the marketing effort. The program will be funded by local developer contributions and a generous grant from the San Diego County APCD.
The City and SANDAG are currently identifying routes and selecting central locations for pick ups and drop offs. The program will be implemented in phases, and its flexibility will be driven by commuter demand. Ultimately, the program allows for three express bus roundtrips to downtown San Diego and three express shuttle roundtrips to a Trolley station.
Watch for more detailed information about this exciting new TDM program! Information will be distributed through home owners associations, builders, the City’s Web site at chulavistaca.gov, and RideLink’s Web site at RideLink.org.
