Chandler to sign on to bring free electric shuttle service for downtown
Aug 8, 2018, 1:43 PM
(Facebook Photo)
(Facebook Photo)
PHOENIX — The city of Chandler has given a thumbs-up to an agreement that will bring free electric shuttle rides to downtown visitors starting next month.
Electric Cab Company North America shuttles will run Thursday through Saturday from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. beginning Sept. 6, the East Valley Tribune reported.
The city council approved a contract in July with the Texas-based company to provide free rides from downtown parking garages to the historic square.
The yearlong deal was not to surpass $120,000.
Chandler will be the first city in the state to sign on. Electric Cab also runs microtransit services in Dallas, St. Louis, and Kirkwood, Missouri.
Maximum passenger capacity on a shuttle is five.
Free rides were expected to be a boon for downtown visitors.
Development in the area will push out 200 free parking spots that have been available near City Hall, according to the report.
The vehicles top out at about 25 mph.
Kim Moyers, downtown redevelopment manager told the news outlet, “Drivers will be knowledgeable about the downtown.”
If the rides prove to be popular, hours of service could expand.
Electric Cab described itself online as providing “efficient, zero emission micro transit services to dense urban cores, corporate campuses, and master planned communities” and offered “mobility on demand.”
