Redmond just tossed a new set of keys into its transit toolbox: RedLink, a free, on-demand, all-electric shuttle pilot that quietly rolled out this spring as regional light rail finally crossed Lake Washington. The service pairs short, app-booked rides with new rail connections so residents, workers and visitors can reach stations, shops and jobs without needing a car. City officials and transit planners say the timing, landing between the RedLink launch and the Crosslake Connection, could start to rewrite short commutes across the Eastside in 2026.
With the new Crosslake Connection joining Redmond to Seattle and beyond, 2026 is a big year for public transportation. Last month, Redmond launched RedLink, a free, on-demand, all-electric ride service for community members to get around Redmond easily, affordably, and https://t.co/m2l3WxTELy
— City of Redmond (@cityofredmond) April 9, 2026
In a post on X, the City of Redmond spotlighted RedLink and explicitly tied the rollout to the Crosslake Connection, calling the shuttle free, on-demand and all-electric. The post directs riders to city materials for route maps, operating hours and app how-tos.
How RedLink Works
The City of Redmond outlines the pilot on its City of Redmond site: rides cost nothing, the program is slated to operate through June 2027, and the service zone spans portions of Downtown Redmond, Education Hill and Southeast Redmond. Riders must be at least 16 to ride solo, trips are requested through the Circuit app, and ADA-accessible vehicles are available when needed.
Local coverage and the operator both describe RedLink as a first- and last-mile microtransit experiment meant to plug into light rail rather than compete with it. GeekWire notes that Circuit runs similar services in other cities and that its app can pool riders going in the same direction and route them to nearby pickup spots to keep wait times down.
Crosslake Connection and Regional Impact
Sound Transit opened the Crosslake Connection on March 28, completing the 2 Line’s span across Lake Washington and allowing trains to run from Redmond into downtown Seattle and beyond. The agency says the added segment boosts capacity through its busiest corridor, and 11 new Eastside eats coverage suggests restaurants and other businesses are already angling to capture the fresh wave of foot traffic near stations.
Fleet, Accessibility and Pickups
Circuit, which operates RedLink, says the service runs a fully electric fleet that includes ADA-accessible vehicles. Company posts show a mix of Volkswagen ID. Buzz vans and GEM microvehicles on the street, a small-footprint approach typical of microtransit pilots that aim to keep trips nimble, cut emissions and funnel riders into higher-capacity rail.
"As a city we are committed to increasing transportation choices for residents and visitors," Mayor Angela Birney said in the city’s announcement. Officials say the pilot is designed to gauge demand, trim local emissions and make it easier to reach the 2 Line without driving, while the city tracks performance and equity outcomes over the life of the program.
What Riders Should Know
To hop on RedLink, download the free Circuit app and confirm your pickup and drop-off both fall inside the service zone; fares are free for the entire pilot and hours vary by day. Sound Transit details how the 2 Line now links Redmond with Seattle, while Circuit’s site and in-app maps show exact pickup points and real-time vehicle availability.
