New on-demand shuttle service, 'BocaConnect,' launches in Boca Raton

BOCA RATON — A new way to get around Boca Raton is here.

It's called BocaConnect, and it's an on-demand shuttle service that launched June 17. It will offer free, eco-friendly rides in the city's downtown, and outside of it for a small fee.

"BocaConnect is a vital step toward enhancing our city's transportation infrastructure," Mayor Scott Singer said. "It not only offers convenience and connectivity but also supports our sustainability goals by reducing traffic congestion and lowering emissions."

The shuttle seats six people, including the driver, and will run for 12 months as a pilot program. The city staff will then review the data collected during the yearlong period to determine future service locations. These could include the Tri-Rail Station, the Spanish River Library, Florida Atlantic University or the beaches, according to the city.

Here's what else you need to know.

Where will BocaConnect operate?

BocaConnect's service area includes downtown Boca Raton, south of Glades Road, east of Interstate 95, north of the Hillsboro Canal and west of the Intracoastal Waterway.

Rides to and from the city's downtown will be free. But if a ride starts or ends outside of the downtown area, it will cost $2 per rider with $1 for each additional rider. Rides will be capped at $5 per one-way trip.

The downtown area, according to the city, is defined as the CRA boundaries, plus the downtown library, the Brightline station, Wildflower Park and Silver Palm Park. The base service area, or the service area outside the city's downtown, is defined as the area between Glades Road and the southern city limit from east of I-95 to Fifth Avenue/Royal Palm Way.

The BocaConnect shuttle will be used for rides within downtown Boca Raton. Two electric Kia sedans and one Ford electric van will be used for rides outside the downtown area.

How can BocaConnect rides be requested?

Similar to Uber and Lyft, BocaConnect rides can be requested easily through the Ride Circuit app. It's available on both iOS and Android platforms, and operated by Circuit Transit, the company behind the new shuttle service.

For those traveling outside the city's downtown, the first two rides can be free with the code "bocaconnect2free" on the Ride Circuit app. The offer will be valid through July 14.

Wait times are expected to be no longer than 10 minutes.

When will BocaConnect run?

The shuttle service will operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday.

Jasmine Fernández is a journalist covering Delray Beach and Boca Raton for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at jfernandez@pbpost.com and follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @jasminefernandz. Help support our work. Subscribe today.