Congested traffic and limited parking are a daily reality for many South Florida residents. While it is a small price to pay for living in paradise, Wilton Manors has recently taken a giant step towards alleviating the problem within their own city limits. The City Commission of the City of Wilton Manors recently passed a resolution to bring Circuit Transit, an all-electric micro-transit system, to Wilton Manors.
The agreement with Circuit Transit will provide all-electric shuttle vehicles to the city, which will serve as an affordable, eco-friendly alternative to personal vehicles, public transit, and ride-share. All of these benefits come at a low cost to riders of just $2 per person per ride. Here’s everything you need to know.
Circuit Transit is Changing the Nature of Public Transportation
Circuit Transit is a 100% electric shuttle service that operates on an app and website-based platform. Their goal is to make getting around easier, greener, and more affordable. In cities where Circuit Transit is available, you can simply download the Ride Circuit app, sign up using your information, and request a ride by entering your pickup and drop-off location.
Once the vehicles are available in Wilton Manors, as long as both the pick-up and drop-off points are within the city limits, the shuttles can accommodate point-to-point services.
An Affordable Alternative
The app is easy to use and understand, and it operates similarly to Uber. However, unlike private rideshare companies where you get charged extravagant rates, Circuit is far more affordable. The rides are paid for using parking, advertising, and fare revenue. Wilton Manors residents’ tax dollars are not being used to fund the program.
Circuit Transit is no stranger to South Florida. They are an active service provider in many local cities, including Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Hollywood, West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, and Miami.
Benefits of Bringing Circuit Transit to Wilton Manors
The agreement between the city of Wilton Manors and Circuit Transit will provide three Polaris GEM e6 vehicles for full-time use. These vehicles are suitable for all-weather, 100% electric, and seat a driver and five passengers. A fourth vehicle, the Polaris GEM e6 ADA, is a wheelchair-friendly vehicle that will remain on standby for riders with unique accessibility needs.
According to Wilton Manors Vice Mayor Paul Rolli, the shuttles are “very roomy, so people won’t have any trouble getting in and out.” He believes the service will be a great addition to the city and “the fact that it is an on-demand, door-to-door service makes it even better.” Mayor Rolli explained that “someone can go from home to Publix or home to church – wherever they need to go – as long as the beginning and end point is within Wilton Manors. Not only is it fairly inexpensive, but it also negates the need to drive at night when going out with friends, finding parking, or worrying about drinking and driving.”
There are many ways this all-electric micro-transit system will benefit Wilton Manors. Firstly, it provides residents and locals from surrounding areas with a low-cost, environmentally-friendly transportation option. With the cost of gasoline, food, rent, and everything else increasing at historic rates, residents and tourists alike may welcome this affordable option with wide-open arms. Secondly, the shuttle service can help eliminate traffic congestion by reducing the number of individual vehicles on the road while also reducing the demand for parking.
Finally, 100% electric vehicles are better for the environment than ones that rely on fuel. The service will help Wilton Manors meet its environmental and sustainability goals by helping to reduce the city’s carbon footprint.
When Will the Electric Shuttles Be Available for Rides?
Service within Wilton Manors is scheduled to begin no later than September 1, 2022. The shuttles will operate Sunday – Thursday from 11:00 A.M to 9:00 P.M and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 A.M to 11:00 P.M.
In the meantime, there are other ways to avoid traffic jams or pay for parking when going out on the drive. The city of Wilton Manors offers limited Uber and Lyft discounts to people outside of the city who are traveling to a Wilton Manors destination. You can retrieve a discount code at www.wiltonmanors.com/669/ride-sharing.
