Costa Mesa launches zero emission, on-demand rideshare service

The City of Costa Mesa is pleased to announce the receipt of a $1.5 million grant from the State’s Clean Mobility Options program to launch Let’s Go Costa Mesa, a new on-demand rideshare service in partnership with Circuit to offer free, clean energy transportation to residents with limited or no access to a personal automobile, though all members of the community are welcome to use the service.

This new, free ride share service is intended for short local trips and will use a small fleet of electric vehicles, including a van branded as The Goat. Circuit will provide vehicles, including The Goat, which seats up to 10 passengers. While the name, The Goat, is in reference to Costa Mesa’s history of being known as Goat Hill, it is also an acknowledgment that the actual animals are sturdy, full of energy, and able to go anywhere.

“Let’s Go Costa Mesa will provide needed mobility to seniors on the Westside and East 17th Street to destinations such as doctors, restaurants and shopping,” Mayor John Stephens said. “This increased access also benefits our local businesses. I’m grateful to Council Member Arlis Reynolds, who effectively advocated for this project through the approval process, and to the council and city staff who approved and implemented this important resource for our seniors.”

The Mobility Project Voucher worth $1.5 million is from California’s Clean Mobility Options (CMO) program, a part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment — particularly in under-served communities. This project is in concert with the California Energy Commission’s Clean Transportation Program, which is investing more than $1 billion to accelerate the deployment of zero-emission transportation infrastructure and support in-state manufacturing and workforce training and development.

Also, collaborating with Circuit to use electric vehicles to replace daily trips is a cleaner option since 28 percent of national trips one mile or less are traditionally performed by fossil fuel vehicles, according to National Household Travel Survey Data.

Clean Mobility Options, or CMO, is a statewide initiative that provides funding for zero-emission shared mobility options to under-resourced communities in California. CMO is available throughout California to all eligible disadvantaged and low-income communities and tribal governments, to increase access to safe, reliable, convenient, and affordable transportation options.

The Let’s Go Costa Mesa service area will consist of Westside Costa Mesa and College Park south of Joann Street and the area surrounding the East 17th Street shopping district bounded by East 18th Street on the north and East 16th Street on the south.

To use the service, residents and visitors are encouraged to download the Ride Circuit app on the App Store or Google Play or call the hotline at (949) 828-2065. Let’s Go Costa Mesa will operate seven days a week, up to 10 hours per day, as part of a four-year pilot program. Rides are free, and are available within the service area Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.