"Beach Bug Shuttle: Over 9K Riders Served in Pacific Beach's Debut Weeks"

The free Beach Bug shuttle in Pacific Beach, San Diego, has served over 9,000 riders in its first few weeks of operation. The service, consisting of four all-electric shuttles, aims to decrease parking demand and improve mobility in the community. The top reported uses for the shuttle include social/recreational trips, errands, and connecting to transit. The shuttles primarily operate in the Pacific Beach neighborhood but also connect riders to the Balboa Avenue Transit Center. The average wait time is 10 minutes, and the service will start charging $2.50 per ride in October. The success of the Beach Bug has prompted the city to consider expanding similar services to other parts of San Diego.