News Summary
The Costa Mesa City Council has approved an expansion of the ‘Let’s Go Costa Mesa’ ride-sharing service to improve mobility for residents, especially seniors and young individuals without car access. The service, which primarily uses all-electric vehicles, will extend operating hours and broaden coverage to include Hoag Hospital and areas east of the 55 Freeway. With a significant increase in ridership, the program aims to continue enhancing transportation accessibility while addressing future funding concerns.
Costa Mesa – The Costa Mesa City Council has approved an expansion of the “Let’s Go Costa Mesa” ride-sharing service, aiming to enhance mobility options for residents, particularly seniors, people with mobility challenges, and young individuals without car access. The decision was made this week, reflecting the city’s commitment to improving transportation accessibility.
The ride-sharing service primarily operates all-electric vehicles for short trips within designated areas of Costa Mesa. The current operating hours for “Let’s Go Costa Mesa” are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends. With the latest expansion, service hours on weekdays will be extended to 8 p.m.
The coverage area for “Let’s Go Costa Mesa” has also been broadened. Previously, the service area extended from Joann Street to the North, Placentia Avenue to the southwest corner at 16th Street, and Newport Boulevard to the East, reaching up to Newport Harbor High School. The new expansion will include service to the Hoag Hospital complex and a strip extending east past Newport and the 55 Freeway, thereby providing assistance to those on the east side who had to previously cross the freeway to access the service.
Statistics indicate that the ride-sharing program has witnessed significant growth. In October 2024, the program served just 24 users. However, by August, the ridership surged to approximately 2,800 users. Notably, around 45% of these riders are aged between 16 and 22 years, underscoring the program’s appeal to younger individuals.
Funding for the “Let’s Go Costa Mesa” service is provided by a three-year grant sourced from California’s Clean Mobility Options initiative. This initiative aims at enhancing transportation accessibility and reducing vehicle emissions, as the service operates entirely on electric vehicles owned by the city.
Despite the encouraging growth and the expanded service hours and areas, concerns regarding future funding were raised during the council meeting. Councilman Mike Buley expressed apprehension about sustaining the service once the grant expires in 2026, prompting discussions about the potential need for alternative funding sources. Costa Mesa’s Transportation Director Paul Martin noted that there are several avenues for future funding, which may include partnerships with state and local transportation authorities.
Councilwoman Arlis Reynolds emphasized that the service was designed to bolster independence for seniors who may struggle to access transportation for essential activities, such as attending events or medical appointments. The expansion of “Let’s Go Costa Mesa” aligns with the city’s goals to enhance mobility options for its residents and foster greater connectivity for individuals facing transportation challenges.
As the program enters this new phase with extended hours and expanded coverage, city officials remain hopeful that more residents will take advantage of the service. The City Council remains committed to providing effective transportation solutions that improve the quality of life for all Costa Mesa residents, particularly those who may need it the most.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Costa Mesa’s Free Rideshare Program Expands Coverage Area
- Google Search: Costa Mesa ride-share program
- Mass Transit: City of Costa Mesa Receives $1.5 Million Grant
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Costa Mesa
- Orange County Register: Costa Mesa Launches Free Ride Service
- Google News: Costa Mesa free ride service
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
