LEXINGTON, Ky. — City officials officially launched LexRide on Friday, Lexington's new seasonal downtown circulator service, celebrating the debut with free rides throughout the opening weekend of April 2-4. Mayor Gorton joined Lextran General Manager Fred Combs and community partners at the event, which marked the culmination of more than a year of planning to connect the city's most vibrant entertainment districts.

The service operates Thursday through Saturday evenings from 4 p.m. to midnight through October, with buses arriving every 12-15 minutes at designated stops. LexRide connects three key destinations: downtown Lexington, the Distillery District, and the Warehouse Block/National Avenue area, eliminating the need for drivers to navigate downtown traffic and parking concerns.

After the promotional weekend ends, rides will cost $1 each, with discounts available for seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and youth under 18. The service features distinctly branded, accessible vehicles equipped with tap-to-pay technology allowing contactless payment, though cash and Lextran passes are also accepted.

City officials emphasized the initiative represents successful collaboration among multiple stakeholders. "A lot of our progress is thanks to strong partnerships," Mayor Gorton said. "LexRide is a new partnership that will provide the perfect opportunity for residents and visitors to enjoy our downtown." The service is made possible through a partnership including Lextran, the City of Lexington, the Fund for Greater Lexington, VisitLEX, LEXPARK, and the Downtown Lexington Partnership.

Business leaders in the connected districts voiced enthusiasm about the service. Chad Walker, manager of the Warehouse Block, called it "a total game changer," noting that linking the two commercial hubs benefits both areas. Distillery District developer Chris Kelly said he was "excited to welcome the shuttle and have our area as a stop."

The initiative aims to reduce downtown congestion and emissions while supporting local businesses. Riders can track buses in real-time using the MyStop mobile app and transfer free to other LexRide loops or Lextran routes. LexRide operates as a pilot program through October 2026, with plans to evaluate the service's performance before determining whether to continue or expand it.