Free electric rides to places like stores, healthcare facilities, and restaurants have arrived in four Massachusetts communities.
For a year, the pilot program known as The Link will test whether no-cost transportation can trim residents' travel expenses and make it easier to get around without using a personal car, as The Reading Post reported.
Here's what to know
The Link kicked off at the end of August and provides Massachusetts residents of Woburn, Burlington, Reading, and Wakefield with free all-electric microtransit service operated by Circuit. As The Reading Post reported, trips can be requested through the Ride Circuit app or by phone.
Service will be split between two areas, Woburn-Burlington and Reading-Wakefield, while still allowing riders from either zone to reach Burlington's Lahey Clinic or Winchester Hospital. A microtransit grant from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation is paying for the program, the publication noted.
Local officials describe the service as a way to make everyday trips easier while offering a cleaner option than gas-powered travel.
"The launch of The Link is an important step forward in making everyday travel easier, cleaner, and more accessible for Reading residents," said Jayne Wellman, Reading Town Manager, according to The Reading Post.
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Free rides can help households avoid costs tied to fuel, parking, and some rideshare trips, particularly for shorter local travel.
More background
Microtransit programs like this one aim to fill gaps that traditional public transit does not always serve well. Rather than depending on fixed routes and rigid schedules, on-demand service can help residents get to where they need to go more directly.
That can be especially useful for older adults, workers without cars, families trying to reduce monthly expenses, or anyone facing the so-called last-mile problem. That refers to the distance between a bus or train stop and a final destination.
"Launching a free, on-demand microtransit shuttle bridges critical last-mile transit gaps across Burlington, directly connecting residents and workers to our major commercial corridors and regional transit hubs," declared Elizabeth Bonventre, Burlington Planning Director, per The Reading Post.
Bonventre added, "By offering a flexible alternative to driving, it eases local traffic congestion, cuts vehicle emissions, and supports our local business community. Most importantly, it ensures affordable, accessible mobility for everyone in town, regardless of age, income, or access to a personal vehicle."
What's being done?
If the pilot performs well, it could provide a model for other communities looking to lower household transportation costs while reducing pollution from short car trips.
"When neighboring communities work together, they can create transportation that's more efficient, more accessible, and more valuable for everyone," explained Alex Esposito, CEO and Co-Founder of Circuit.
For residents, that opens up a lot of possibilities.
"This door-to-door service can be used to get to a local appointment, grab lunch with friends, head to our Farmers Market, connect to the MBTA, and so much more," offered Wakefield Town Administrator Denise Y. Casey, according to The Reading Post.
Where can I learn more?
Similar efforts elsewhere show how people are testing ways to make public transportation less expensive and polluting.
• In Peru, a startup is deploying electric taxis with swappable batteries for faster urban trips.
• In British Columbia, BC Transit is planning electric buses and infrastructure upgrades for growing communities.
• Across U.S. districts, agencies are finding electric bus lifetime savings can reach six figures.
If these changes happen sooner, people will likely save more and breathe less polluted air.
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