Tourists and others will soon be able to catch a free ride on a Ride Circuit vehicle from the Kingston MBTA commuter rail station to Plymouth’s downtown and waterfront district – and back – thanks to a $30,000 state grant.
The funding will allow the tourism organization See Plymouth to operate a five-passenger electric vehicle to greet passengers at every train arrival and departure from Thursday to Sunday and bring them to the See Plymouth Waterfront Visitor Center on Water Street. Return trips to the T station will depart from Water Street as well.
For the last four years, Ride Circuit has supplied See Plymouth with vans, drivers, insurance, and maintenance. There are now three vehicles on the schedule.
The fourth one will be dedicated to the run between Kingston and the Waterfront Visitor Center. The other three vehicles are on call through the Ride Circuit app, and come within four to seven minutes, said Lea Filson, president of See Plymouth, in an email. They operate within the downtown and waterfront area and also make stops at Plimoth Patuxet, Cordage Park, and the bus stop at exit 13 off Route 3.
The funds were secured by State Senator Dylan Fernandes (D-Falmouth), who offered an amendment to the budget for fiscal year 2026, which began July 1.
“Making sure we connect people for that last mile of tourism is huge for economic development for the town of Plymouth, especially for the downtown,” Fernandes said at a press conference with Senate President Karen Spilka at the Visitor Center Tuesday.
“We have many instances of visitors not being able to get to or from Kingston train station because there are so few Uber and Lyft drivers,” said Filson. “Also, there are none there when [the] train arrives or leaves.”
This season’s test run will allow See Plymouth to determine whether it should raise more money to make the service permanent, Filson said.
Though capacity is limited, she believes the new vehicle will provide a boost for the tourism industry.
“We will bring many more visitors to Plymouth,” Filson said. “Remember also that we now have trains arriving from both the north and south due to the new line into Bristol County.”
Commuters will also be able to take advantage of the free rides, Filson said.
The service is scheduled to begin Aug. 4 and continue until through the fall.
Fred Thys can be reached at fred@plymouthindependent.org.