Free Ride-share Program in West Dallas Improves Connection to Basic Needs

For people all over North Texas, using ride-share apps is an easy go-to when driving one’s own car doesn’t make sense, such as enjoying a night out with friends without worrying about getting behind the wheel.

But in West Dallas, there’s a ride-share service that fulfills a far more basic need for people who don’t own vehicles and who rely on public transit to go about their days — to run errands, take their children to the doctor, or travel to and from work. And by having on-demand access to free rides through a smartphone app, they can save significant time, leading to an overall improvement in quality of life.

Toyota began researching a mobility service as part of its efforts in West Dallas, where a new STEM school is also being created. Following community meetings and an evaluation of area needs, Toyota collaborated with Circuit to provide a transportation option that connects West Dallas residents to Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), as well as access to neighborhood-level needs, such as going to the grocery store or a medical appointment.

Residents learn about the service via word of mouth from neighbors and observing the fleet of six electric, six-door vehicles as they zip around the community. Wrapped in colorful advertising or artwork created by students in the community, the shuttles are hard to miss.  

In January 2023, DART joined with Toyota to support the service. 

The shuttles — known as the West Dallas Circuit Circulators — currently operate Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., traveling around a 3-mile service area that stretches from the Trinity River to the north and east, North Westmoreland Road to the west, and Interstate 30 to the south. Passengers can also take rides to/from EBJ Union Station and the West End Station, so they have quick access to a major transportation hub. Some of the most frequent pickup/drop-off points along the route include DART bus stops, Sylvan Thirty, Trinity Groves, Fish Trap Lake Park, Lakewest Assisted Living, and numerous apartment communities, grocery stores and pharmacies.

 To learn more about the West Dallas Circuit Circulators, visit ridecircuit.com/westdallas.