Wakefield’s Newest Ride: How to Use The Link for Your Next Local Trip

For over a century, navigating the Greater Boston and North Shore regional transit has followed a familiar formula: you hop on the MBTA Commuter Rail when you need to travel between suburban hubs like Wakefield and North Station, or you take the “T” subway system for quick trips across Boston, Cambridge, and surrounding metro cities. But what about the awkward gap in between? Getting from your front door to the train platform, or across town to a neighboring destination that shares no direct tracks? Enter The Link, the missing piece of the puzzle designed to solve Wakefield’s first-mile, last-mile transit challenge.

The Link officially launched on August 31, 2026. Here is how Wakefield residents can use it for their next local trip.

What is The Link?

The Link is a free, on-demand, all-electric, wheelchair-accessible microtransit service connecting Wakefield riders with destinations throughout Wakefield and Reading, as well as Lahey Hospital & Medical Center and Winchester Hospital.

Operated by Circuit, The Link is Wakefield’s component of a larger regional microtransit initiative that also includes a separate Woburn-Burlington service. For Wakefield riders, The Link’s regular service area is limited to Wakefield and Reading, with additional service to the two designated hospital destinations. The program is supported by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Microtransit and Last-Mile Transit Grant Program.

Where Can You Go?

Riders can use The Link for trips that begin and end within Wakefield and Reading, such as:

• Meeting friends for lunch around town
• Shopping downtown Wakefield
• Heading to a local appointment
• Visiting the library or the park
• Commuting to an MBTA station

The Link also provides service to two designated destinations outside the Wakefield-Reading service area: Lahey Hospital Medical Center and Winchester Hospital.

How It Works

To request a ride, download the Ride Circuit app on your phone. Once you have created an account, which requires your name, email address, mobile phone number, and a password, you will be able to log in and request a ride. You will need to “allow” location services and input your pick-up and drop-off location as well as an estimated arrival time. The app will automatically find the closest vehicle for your service, or one already in your area for other pick-ups. Using the app, you can “view” the location of your ride to know when to be ready for pickup.

Riders who cannot access the app or prefer to call can also request a ride by calling 781-782-2521.

During this pilot year, The Link is free to all riders!

When to Ride

Wakefield’s The Link is available:

Monday to Friday: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Closed Sundays and on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Get Started Today

The Link service is a free, on-demand, all-electric microtransit service that seamlessly connects Wakefield riders with destinations throughout Wakefield and Reading, as well as two designated regional destinations: Lahey Hospital & Medical Center and Winchester Hospital. By helping riders reach local businesses, appointments, community facilities, and public transportation. The Link fills an important gap in Wakefield’s transportation network. For more details, visit the Town of Wakefield website.