The city of West Palm Beach launched its new electric public transportation system this week, called "West Palm Move," which offers rides starting at one dollar and combines a high-frequency fixed route with an on-demand shared service.
The fixed route component started on Monday, and the on-demand service is expected to launch on September 15, once the technical tests and requirements for the drivers are completed.
The program replaces RideWPB, the previous system that ceased operations on May 31 after nearly three years in service. The idea is to fill the mobility gap left by that closure while also reducing dependence on cars for short trips in a city with a high reliance on automobiles.
The initial fleet consists of seven orange electric vehicles, making them easy to distinguish from the rest of the local public transport.
The units are equipped with air conditioning, seats at different levels, handrails for standing passengers, and accessibility features for people with disabilities.
The fixed route travels the north-south corridor along Dixie Highway, connecting the Northwood Village area to the vicinity of the Norton Museum of Art, with a frequency of eight to ten minutes.
"The vehicles run every 10 minutes and go from Northwood to the Norton Museum. And everything else is covered by the on-demand service, so if you are south of the city and want to go downtown, you just request the service," explained Telemundo 51 Jessica Keller, the Mobility and Parking Administrator of West Palm Beach.
Each trip on the fixed route costs one dollar, while the on-demand service has a fare of two dollars per ride and will cover areas of the city located east of Interstate 95.
The latter does not operate as a door-to-door taxi service: passengers would need to travel to a nearby virtual pick-up point, with a maximum expected wait time of 15 minutes.
Rides are requested through the West Palm Move app, although the city will also provide a phone number for those without a smartphone.
The system operates from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm, and municipal authorities indicated that the hours could be extended until midnight in future years.
Cash is not accepted: payment is made with a card, smartphone, or smartwatch directly on board.
Users can track the location of vehicles in real time from their devices, an aspect that the city emphasizes as part of its commitment to service reliability.
Keller emphasized the pioneering nature of the initiative: "It is the first system in the country that combines fixed routes with on-demand service and operates at high frequency. It is that high frequency that stands out. A 10-minute wait for fixed transport services is the best one can hope for."
The program is part of a trend of electric mobility in South Florida that includes projects such as Waymo autonomous cars in Miami and electric air taxis connecting Palm Beach with the city.
By 2027, West Palm Beach plans to establish a new fixed route running from east to west, possibly along Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard. However, the final routing, stops, and exact start date have yet to be determined.
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