News & Media

Town of Palm Beach Invests In Pilot Expansion Of Free Circuit On-Demand Service

PALM BEACH, Fla. (April 11, 2023) – Palm Beach welcomes more people to get in and around the island without their car to reduce demands on limited parking and improve traffic flow. To support this, the Town is investing in a six-week pilot project to increase Circuit operations on the island, providing free rides within the center of the island and Downtown West Palm Beach. The West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority and Brightline also invest in this free ride service, operated by Circuit.  The extended service was initiated Saturday, April 8, and is planned to continue through May 19.

The Palm Beach Town Council voted on March 14 to fund supplemental Circuit service with a $30,000 investment adding two Circuit on-demand electric vehicles to better serve the Town during the six-week pilot. Funding also includes business outreach and engagement supported by WPBgo, West Palm Beach’s public-private mobility coalition focused on improving area transportation to benefit the region’s economic vitality and quality of life. Data from the pilot will help determine the nature of future investments by the Town to reduce parking demand and to assist employees and patrons to access businesses without the need for a car. The Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce, Worth Avenue Association, and the Palm Beach Midtown Business Association are participants in a working group to inform the program’s implementation and evolution, and to maximize awareness within the business community.

Since September 2021, the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority has partnered with Circuit to provide free rides within Downtown and the Town of Palm Beach. In the past 12 months, ridership has grown 63%, from 7,098 passengers in March 2022 to 11,606 unique passengers in March 2023. In that same time span, Circuit has provided 129,012 rides, leading to a reduction of approximately 70 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, and the creation of 37 jobs for local residents as managers, supervisors and drivers/ambassadors. In addition, since most of the rides are shared among passengers, this also reduces the total vehicle miles traveled on area streets in addition to reducing demand for limited parking.

Rides can be scheduled through the Circuit smartphone app available at ridecircuit.com. The service is available 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, and 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Sunday.

The Circuit shuttle uses 100-percent electric vehicles, promoting better air quality while offering a first-mile/last-mile transportation option that is convenient and easy to use. Free rides are available between any two locations within the Circuit zone, available at DowntownWPB.com/Circuit. Gratuities for Circuit drivers are appreciated but never required. Drivers are W2 Circuit employees who have passed background checks and who, collectively, have decades of experience navigating the roads in our local community.

 

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About the WPBgo
WPBgo is the West Palm Beach Mobility Coalition, a 501(c)3 non-profit Transportation Management Association (TMA), working in partnership with private and public sector partners to reduce traffic and improve mobility in and around downtown West Palm Beach to enable economic growth, save people’s precious time, and make everyday life easier.

 

About the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority
The West Palm Beach DDA is an independent taxing district created in 1967 by a special act of the Florida Legislature. Its mission is to promote and enhance a safe, vibrant Downtown for our residents, businesses and visitors through the strategic development of economic, social and cultural opportunities.

 

About the Town of Palm Beach
The Town of Palm Beach is a 12-mile long barrier island located in Palm Beach County, Florida. Known as one of the first luxury resort destinations in America, Palm Beach is home to world – class shopping, historic landmarks, stunning beaches and small -town charm.  The year round population is approximately 9,500 residents,and grows to over 25,000 + residents during the winter season.  The Town promotes an exceptional quality of life and takes greatest pride in honoring its historic past.

 

About Circuit
Founded by James Mirras and Alex Esposito in 2011, Circuit is an electric, micro-transit solution. Circuit uses fleets of cars that fulfill the first/last-mile gap that’s experienced by municipalities around the world. The service is made possible by collaborating with municipalities, developers and advertising partners. Since starting the company as a pet-project in their hometown, the business is now operating in cities across NY, FL, CA, NJ, CO, MA, and TX, and has provided over 6M rides without burning an ounce of gas or traveling more than a few miles.  Learn more at www.ridecircuit.com.

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