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Scaling Success: How Long Beach Expanded Microtransit Citywide

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Driving Mobility Forward In Long Beach

In 2018, Long Beach took a bold step toward cleaner, more connected streets by partnering with Circuit. What started as a small pilot has grown into a vital service that helps residents and visitors move easily through the city—without the hassle of parking or the impact of emissions.

5,000+
Rides per month
200,000+
Vehicle miles traveled
6.11
Passengers per vehicle hour
6,000+
Pounds of CO2 avoided per month

"Since Circuit's inception, I have promoted this program, been a rider myself, and heard from many stakeholders how useful this service is... I'm extremely happy to see this change has been made."

Mary Zendejas

Councilmember

GEM vehicle in front of queen mary in Long Beach, California

At a Glance:

  • Pilot launch 2018, relaunch 2022, expansion 2024
  • Free rides for users
  • Average wait time: 9:51
  • Average User Age: 35
  • $12 average cost per rider
  • 20+ W2 jobs created
  • 4.96/5.00 average driver rating

Improving Transportation Gaps

Long Beach, California—a coastal city of over 449,000 residents—faced increasing mobility challenges due to urban density, tourism growth, and limited parking. With few convenient options for short trips, residents and visitors relied heavily on cars and TNCs, making access to key destinations more difficult. The city needed a flexible, sustainable solution to reduce parking pressure and improve mobility that aligned with their climate goals.

Launch, Learn and Scale

In 2018, Long Beach partnered with Circuit to pilot an all-electric shuttle program in its busy downtown. The goal: reduce parking strain, support short-distance trips, and provide a convenient way to reach key destinations around the city.

In October 2022, Circuit relaunched with expanded coverage in Downtown and Belmont Shore—two high demand zones with limited transportation options. The service focused on key destinations like retail corridors, beaches, hotels, and transit hubs. Long Beach Service Zone

Circuit’s 100% electric fleet aligns with Long Beach’s Climate Action Plan, advancing goals to:

  • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
  • Encourage multimodal transportation and walkability
  • Promote zero-emission vehicle adoption
  • Support compact, mixed-use development with transit access
"Especially on weekends, parking around here can feel like a scavenger hunt. Circuit makes it easy—people can skip the parking headache, hop in, and roll right up to our front door. It's been a total win for us."
- John Morris
Boathouse on the Bay

Efficiency, Equity, and Expansion

Circuit quickly became a vital public service in Long Beach, with strong ridership and community support.

Top destinations include grocery stores, senior housing, and medical facilities. The service also helps boost local business with low cost mobility in big commercial zones.

In 2024, the City voted to expand the program, validating Circuit as a trusted long-term solution. Some highlights of the expansion below:

  • 5 square mile service zone connecting Downtown and Belmont Shore
  • New coverage to St. Mary’s medical center, Queen Mary, & senior housing
  • Additional vehicles, and vehicle types, to meet rising demand

IMG_2197 (1)

Olympic-Sized Opportunities download-1

As a host city for the 2028 Summer Olympics, Long Beach is preparing for a surge in visitors and global attention. With events taking place citywide, the need for efficient, low-emission transportation is growing. Circuit’s expanding service positions the city to meet this demand and support both residents and visitors with flexible, first/last-mile mobility.

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