Two months ago, the Whittier Cruiser rolled onto our streets with a simple idea: give people a free, clean, and easy way to move around town. In just 60 days, that idea has turned into more than 10,000 passenger trips, thousands of connections made, and a service that already feels like it belongs in Whittier.
Key Metrics: Whittier Cruiser by the numbers
✔️ 10,000+ passenger trips in just 60 days.
✔️ $7 dollar cost per rider (CPR), making it one of the most cost-efficent microtransit services.
✔️ 2,200+ unique riders building daily routines around the service.
✔️ 4.89 / 5 average rider rating from the community.
✔️ 11 local jobs created, with 7 filled by Whittier residents.
✔️ 1,005 gallons of gasoline saved.
✔️ 8.5 metric tons of CO₂ prevented = taking 2 gas-powered cars off the road for a year.
✔️ 8.8 passengers per vehicle hour (ppvh), among the best early performances in microtransit.
A Service People Are Choosing
Every ride on the Cruiser tells a small story. Whether it’s a parent taking their child to the park, a student heading to class or a neighbor grabbing groceries without worrying about parking, these short trips add up quickly.
The Whittier Cruiser is gaining a loyal rider-base. With more than 2,200 unique riders, the Cruiser is becoming ingrained in the community’s daily routines. Riders have given it an average rating of 4.89 out of 5 stars, showing how much the community values not only the convenience, but also the experience of riding.
Built by Whittier, for Whittier
The Cruiser’s success isn’t just measured in rides or miles. It’s reflected in the community that counts on it, the friendly drivers behind the wheel, and the dedicated team that keeps the service moving every day.
The program has created 11 local jobs, and 7 of those are filled by Whittier residents. These are neighbors who know the streets, know the community, and make riders feel welcome the moment they step into the vehicle.
When you ride the Cruiser, it’s more than a trip from point A to point B. You’re greeted by someone from your own community, one of the people who make this program possible.
Cleaner Air, Stronger Community
Every one of those 10,000 rides has been in a fully electric vehicle. That has already saved 1,005 gallons of gasoline and prevented 8.5 metric tons of CO₂ emissions. To put that into perspective, that is the equivalent of 2 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles driven for one year. These are not abstract figures. They mean cleaner air, quieter streets, and a healthier city for all of us.
Leading the Way
On average, the Cruiser is carrying 8.8 passengers per vehicle hour (ppvh), one of the best performances in the microtransit industry. That level of efficiency is usually hard to achieve so early, but Whittier has shown that when you combine smart planning, local investment, and community buy-in, results come quickly.
Even more impressive, the average cost per rider is already in the $9 range and approaching a $7 cost per rider, making the Cruiser one of the most cost-efficient microtransit services of its kind.
Looking Ahead
These first months of success are just the beginning, and they show that demand is growing. The city is already exploring ways to expand and improve the service. A wheelchair-accessible vehicle is in production, and future updates to service hours or fleet size will continue to be guided by data and community feedback.
Why It Matters
The Whittier Cruiser is not just a transit service. It is a reflection of who we are as a community: practical, forward-thinking, and invested in each other. In just a couple of months, it has shown that the future of mobility here can be electric, affordable, and personal.
The next time you see a Cruiser drive by, remember that it has already carried over 10,000 journeys like yours. Journeys powered by electricity, made possible by local jobs, and built on the belief that small trips can add up to big change.
