Avondale announces the launch of WeRIDE Microtransit; ZOOM Circulator service changes

To accommodate new transit ridership trends, the City of Avondale is announcing changes to transit services in the city.

Starting Monday, Oct. 24, the ZOOM bus circulator will suspend service in the majority of the area north of I-10.   Instead, the circulator will focus services primarily in areas south of I-10. The reconfigured ZOOM will be a continuous route that will circulate from the Avondale Civic Center complex to the Goodyear Park-and-Ride facility.  The route will still offer transfer stops for Valley Metro buses at the Avondale Civic Center Complex and Goodyear Park-and-Ride. 

Along with the service route change, the ZOOM service will now be free to all riders. Previously, riders paid fifty cents to ride the ZOOM. For details of the revised route, see the map, or visit www.AvondaleAZ.gov/Transit.

The majority of the areas no longer serviced by ZOOM will have a new service option. WeRIDE, a microtransit service – the first of its kind in the West Valley -- will be soft-launched by the city on Oct. 24. This new public transit program operates much like popular shared-ride, private on-demand service platforms. Official launch of the new service in both the cities of Avondale and Goodyear will be on Monday, Nov. 14.

Operated by First Transit, WeRIDE will provide convenient, affordable, and on-demand shared rides in specific zones within the cities of Avondale and Goodyear, Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. All trips in both cities must take place within their respective zones with the exception of a few shared points of interest.  WeRIDE is a shared ride service that pairs multiple passengers heading in the same direction in a single vehicle. By entering pickup and drop-off locations in the WeRIDE Micro App, riders will be matched with a vehicle going their way.  

Over 275 virtual stops can be found throughout the WeRIDE zone.  Most neighborhood stops can be found at local community neighborhood mailboxes or at a park. Transfers can be made from WeRIDE to the reconfigured ZOOM service at both the Avondale Civic Center and the Goodyear Park-and-Ride.

The regular adult fare is $2.00 per ride. Riders over the age of 60; veterans; the disabled, and students currently registered at Estrella Mountain Community College and Franklin Pierce University, will pay a reduced fare of $1.00 per ride. Children 5-years old and younger ride free with a fare-paying passenger age 16-years and older.

Customers who prefer to pay cash for their trip can do so on board the vehicle. Drivers can only accept the exact fare and will NOT be able to provide change. WeRIDE microtransit vehicles are clearly marked, ADA-friendly, and seat up to five passengers.

For the introductory launch of this service, the rider fee will be waived until Monday, Dec. 5. The App to request service, WeRIDE Micro, is now available for download in the Apple and Google app stores.    For complete details about the service and links to the App, visit www.AvondaleAZ.gov/WeRide .