DEL MAR — Traveling between Del Mar and the fair should be easier this summer after council members at the May 7 meeting unanimously approved a pilot program for shuttle service between the city and the fairgrounds.
Officials with the city and the 22nd District Agricultural Association, which operates the fairgrounds, have been working to provide a link that would easily allow fairgoers to visit Del Mar shops and restaurants as well as transport residents to and from the annual event.
The 22nd DAA budget includes $150,000 for a transportation plan that could help reduce traffic during the fair, which runs from June 8 through July 4. The frequency and size of the shuttle will be announced once a vendor is selected.
Planned stops will be on southbound Camino del Mar at the North County Transit District bus stop north of 15th Street, northbound Coast Boulevard near the Powerhouse in the white passenger loading zone and northbound Camino del Mar south of the Brigantine restaurant before Via de la Valle.
The Fair Shopper Shuttle, as it will be called, will exit the fairgrounds from the main entrance and enter through the Solana gate.
It will not be allowed on residential streets and cannot make U-turns on Camino del Mar.
A separate shuttle service is being developed between the fairgrounds and Solana Beach. As part of the pilot program, city and fairgrounds officials are also working with NCTD to develop a public transportation route from points throughout the county.
The traffic management plan is also being revised.
Since the shuttle is a pilot program, changes could be made after the use and effectiveness are evaluated.
