Electric Shuttle Service Launched On Long Island And The Rockaways

Circuit Transit Advances Project Awarded under New York Clean Transportation Prize Competition

September 23, 2024

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), in partnership with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), today announced the launch of two 100% electric shuttle services on Long Island and the Rockaways provided by a winner of the New York Clean Transportation Prizes. Circuit Transit, Inc., a leading provider of electric vehicle (EV) mobility solutions and one of ten winners of the Prizes announced in November 2022 is now providing accessible and affordable green transportation for residents and visitors through its Rockaway Rides and BrentwoodGo shuttle services. The projects, aimed at providing transportation solutions in underserved communities, reduce emissions from the transportation sector, one of the state’s largest contributors of harmful emissions.

Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO, NYSERDA said, “Through support for projects like Circuit’s, the State is advancing clean and affordable mobility options for New Yorkers while removing transportation barriers in underserved communities. The Rockaways and Long Island now have a clean transportation option that demonstrates a replicable model with potential to be scaled statewide to increase access to and adoption of electric vehicles.”

John Rhodes, Acting Chief Executive Officer, LIPA said, “Circuit’s electric shuttle service in Brentwood and the Rockaways is a significant step towards ensuring clean, accessible, and affordable transportation for those who need it most. This initiative not only helps to solve the pressing climate crisis but also meets a critical community need. We are excited to partner with NYSERDA, PSEG Long Island, Circuit, and the Brentwood and Rockaways communities to offer this innovative service to our customers.”

Rory M. Christian, CEO of the Department of Public Service, said, “The Department and the Public Service Commission has been laser focused on expanding clean and affordable mobility options for New Yorkers. This project creates a clean transportation model that can be replicated elsewhere, which is good for Long Island and good for New York State.”

As a winner in the Electric Mobility Challenge category of the $85 million New York Clean Transportation Prizes, administered by NYSERDA, Circuit received a $7 million award funded by LIPA to launch its Rockaway Rides and BrentwoodGo programs. PSEG Long Island, as an agent for LIPA, has been a partner throughout the service launch.

Following its nine-month soft launch in the Rockaways, Circuit is now fully operational with a 100% electric, on-demand transportation service for residents and visitors in the Rockaways coverage area. The Rockaway Rides service operates all week and is available upon request through the Ride Circuit app during the following times:

Monday-Thursday 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The company will now begin a soft launch of the on-demand transportation service in the Brentwood area of Long Island at no cost, before transitioning to a flat fare of $2.50 for anywhere in the coverage area. BrentwoodGo will operate from Monday through Friday, and rides can be requested through the Ride Circuit app from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information on the service and how to catch a ride, visit www.ridecircuit.com .

Alexander Esposito, CEO, Circuit, said, “This entire program is exciting. We were thrilled to see NYSERDA and LIPA commit to electric transportation, honored that our project was chosen, and maybe most excited to see the services now come to life. The community partners have been incredibly supportive and our whole team is thrilled to improve access and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Rockaways and now Brentwood.”

Michael Voltz, Director of Energy Efficiency and Renewables for PSEG Long Island said, “PSEG Long Island is proud to support Circuit, a New York Clean Transportation Prize winner, as it brings its low-cost, electric ride service to Brentwood and the Rockaways. PSEG Long Island, as an agent to the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), funds projects like this to help more equitably distribute clean, efficient transportation options at a reasonable cost. Along with providing safe and reliable power, it’s another way we are supporting our communities.”

New York State Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato said, “I am overjoyed at the positive environmental impact the Rockaway Rides Program will have on this wonderful community. The project will beautify our neighborhood even more, and I am proud to have supported this new mode of transportation for our residents, as well as the visitors of the Rockaways.”

Circuit offers a fleet of varied electric vehicles, including six Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant vans that operate within the geo-fenced coverage areas. The Rockaway coverage area encompasses major destinations in the Rockaways, including the Rockaway Beach boardwalk, MTA subway stations, and the Far Rockaway downtown area. The Brentwood coverage area includes major destinations across Brentwood, the Hauppauge Industrial Park, and Suffolk County Community College. Pick-ups and drop-offs can be requested from a number of fixed spots at key locations, including the Brentwood and Deer Park Long Island Rail Road stations.

Melanie Carsch, Assistant Director of Sustainability at Suffolk Community College said, “Suffolk County Community College is primarily a commuter campus, where single passenger vehicles are the predominant mode of transportation, making it difficult for students who do not own or operate a car to get to and from campus. BrentwoodGo will help to ease traffic and crowded parking lots while saving students time and money.”

In addition to introducing a sustainable transportation option and reducing congestion, the Circuit shuttle service provides local employment opportunities. Circuit prioritized hiring a team of driver ambassadors based locally around the Rockaways, Brentwood, and neighboring areas of Queens and Brooklyn to operate the services. Two of the vehicles also feature artwork by Brooklyn-based contemporary artist José Parlá, reflecting the dynamic mural he created for the façade of the new Far Rockaway Library.

The New York Clean Transportation Prizes program was established by the New York Public Service Commission and is funded by investor-owned utilities through the PSC’s $1.2 billion EV Make Ready Program to boost access to charging stations, electric vehicle infrastructure and other clean transportation options, and support equitable access and benefits for lower-socioeconomic and disadvantaged communities. LIPA chose to partner on the New York Clean Transportation Prizes program to fund the award for Long Island and the Rockaways under the Electric Mobility Challenge.

New York State’s nearly $3 billion investment in electrifying its transportation sector is vital to meet the State’s sweeping climate and clean energy plan. The State, under Governor Hochul’s leadership, is rapidly advancing measures that all new passenger cars and trucks sold be zero emissions by 2035, along with all school buses being zero emissions the same year. Reducing carbon emissions and pollution from vehicles creates cleaner air and healthier communities, particularly in underserved areas. A range of initiatives grow access to electric vehicles and improve clean transportation for all New Yorkers including EV Make Ready, EVolve NY, the Drive Clean Rebate, the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program, Charge Ready NY, and federal funding under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program.

NYSERDA

NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation, offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and funding to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. NYSERDA professionals work to protect the environment and create clean-energy jobs. NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in New York State since 1975. To learn more about NYSERDA’s programs and funding opportunities, visit nyserda.ny.gov  or follow us on Twitter , Facebook , YouTube , or Instagram . 

LIPA

LIPA is a not-for-profit public utility that aims to serve its customers and community by providing clean, reliable, and affordable energy to Long Island and the Rockaways. LIPA contracts with PSEG Long Island to manage its electric system to performance standards specified by its Board of Trustees under a four-year contract. To learn more, visit lipower.org or follow us on LinkedIn .