San Diego Supervisors Call for Expanded Free Transit for People Released From Jail

A San Diego County Supervisor is asking county officials to expand a free transit program for people released from the county jail, who are often left with few options for securing affordable transportation.

“Under current practices, only those people leaving jail with less than $7 in cash are given free transit,” explains Jeff McDonald in The San Diego Union-Tribune. In a memo, Supervisor Jim Desmond said, “We have heard from community members and local elected officials that those released from VDF struggle to navigate the public transportation systems and are left wandering the streets of Vista.” According to Desmond, “Limited transportation options act as barriers to reentry, exacerbating challenges faced by the formerly incarcerated population and hindering their ability to rebuild their lives.” 

In response, the Board directed city departments to develop a program for universal free transit passes for people released from custody as part of its Alternatives to Custody initiative. “Over coming months, county officials plan to hold more discussions to expand the transportation element of the Alternatives to Custody program to include housing, counseling, job-training and a host of other services.”