New Pilot Program

Ride the Wave: Manhattan Beach's New On-Demand Electric Ride Service

A $5 ($2.50 for older adults ages 55+ starting in July) ride to anywhere in the City — on demand, all electric, and ready before the World Cup crowds arrive.

Getting from your neighborhood to downtown — or from the Metro K Line to the beach — just got a whole lot easier. Meet Wave Rider, the City of Manhattan Beach's new on-demand electric microtransit program, approved by the City Council on April 7 and launched June 4, 2026 with limited service. Full service will begin Monday, June 9, 2026.

June Promo: Use code FREE15 in the Circuit app for 3 free rides — available to all riders throughout June.

Operated by Circuit Transit, Inc., the MB Wave Rider is not a traditional shuttle or bus. There are no fixed routes, no set stops, and no timetables to follow. It operates as a shared ride service — think of it like a pool: your driver may pick up other passengers along the way, keeping fares low for everyone. Here's how it works:

1. open the Circuit app,
   1. 
   2. 
2. enter your destination anywhere in the City, and
3. A driver comes to you — and may pick up other riders en route, and
4. You're taken to your destination for a flat fare of $5 ($2.50 for older adults ages 55+ starting in July) per person per ride.

"It's from your home to where you want to go and back again. There are shorter wait times. It's app-based, similar to Uber and Lyft — and it's less expensive." — Erik Zandvliet, City Traffic Engineer

Wave Rider at a Glance

• Flat fare per ride: $5 per person, per ride ($2.50 for older adults ages 55+ starting in July)
• Shared ride service — your vehicle may carry other passengers heading in the same direction
• Fleet size: 5 EVs
• Pilot duration: Six months, with City Council review before any extension
• Funding source: Proposition A Local Return Funds
• No fixed routes, stops, or schedules — fully on demand
• June promo: Use code FREE15 for 3 free rides

Service hours: MB Wave Rider will operate:

• Monday to Thursday: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• Friday and Saturday: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
• Sunday: 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Service area:

• Manhattan Beach City limits
• Metro K Line Douglas Station

How to Ride the Wave

1. Download the app — Get the Circuit app on iOS or Android at ridecircuit.com
2. Request your ride — Enter your destination anywhere in the City — no fixed stops or schedules
3. Pay in-app — $5 ($2.50 for older adults ages 55+ starting in July) per person per ride, charged through the app — no cash needed
4. June promo — Enter code FREE15 at checkout for 3 free rides

Learn more about the new microtransit program

The fleet includes two neighborhood electric vehicles for denser commercial districts west of Sepulveda Boulevard, two full sedans for broader Citywide coverage, and one wheelchair-accessible van — ensuring Wave Rider is available to all residents regardless of mobility needs. All drivers are W-2 employees of Circuit Transit, not independent contractors, enabling consistent training and a higher standard of service.

The City is funding the pilot entirely through its Proposition A Local Return account — a restricted fund generated by Los Angeles County sales tax revenue designated for local transit purposes. The total contract value does not exceed $540,626 over the six-month term, with the City's net cost reduced by fare revenue and potentially offset further by corporate sponsorships and advertising during the pilot period.

Throughout the pilot, Circuit Transit will provide the City with real-time ridership data — tracking peak demand times, popular origins and destinations, and rider demographics. That information will inform a staff report to the City Council before the contract concludes, when elected officials will decide whether to extend, modify, or conclude the program.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

View all of Circuit's FAQs on the Circuit FAQ website.