On-demand shuttle service now covers more of Chula Vista

(FOX 5/KUSI) — More residents of Chula Vista will be able to use the city's Community Shuttle service now that the area it serves is expanding into the southwestern part of the city.

The Community Shuttle works a lot like other rideshare services, where a rider summons a vehicle through an app or a phone call, although the pickup and dropoff locations must be inside the service area.

The on-demand shuttle service has been in use for four years in Chula Vista, mainly between the bay and the I-805, but the new expansion brings it as far south as Anita Street and west to the Bayfront, and includes the Palomar trolley station.

The expansion of the service area is possible with a nearly $2 million grant from the California Air Resources Board.

Riders can use the shuttle by downloading the Ride Circuit app on their smartphone, creating an account and requesting rides. Riders can also call 619-650-6386 option 7.

The shuttle costs $2 per ride, but is free for users who are age 55 and older. Service hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, and it does not operate on weekends.

Chula Vista also operates a free Bayfront Shuttle service that provides rides to certain locations.

According to the city, in the period from June 2022 to March 2024, more than 40,000 riders used the shuttle service for more than 35,000 rides, with nearly 1,300 of those being ADA rides. The average wait time was nearly 9.5 minutes.