Bellevue’s free electric shuttle service, BellHop, is growing with the addition of three new 2025 Kia EV9 vehicles. Visit Bellevue recently announced these upgrades, making BellHop one of the first Circuit programs in the U.S. to use these advanced electric vehicles for free public transportation.
With the new EV9s, BellHop’s fleet now has eight vehicles—five Waev GEMs and three Kia EV9s.
The new vehicles come with several benefits:
- Faster Charging – Less downtime means more rides and longer service hours.
- Better Climate Control – Keeps riders comfortable in any weather.
- Higher Speeds – Helps reduce wait times and makes pickups quicker.
- Future Growth – Opens possibilities for expanding service areas and improving accessibility.
- BellHop remains a free, on-demand shuttle service thanks to support from Circuit, the City of Bellevue, Amazon, and the Tourism Promotion Area (TPA), in partnership with Visit Bellevue.
“BellHop continues to be a free service, and we’re grateful for the support of Circuit, the City of Bellevue, Amazon, and the TPA,” said Brad Jones, Executive Director of Visit Bellevue. “Their commitment to innovation helps us improve transportation and strengthen the community.”
Mark Iannon, Circuit’s Partnerships Manager, explained how the EV9s fit into the service. “The EV9 is perfect for our micro-transit system. We use them for longer rides while the GEM shuttles handle shorter trips in busy areas, which improves efficiency and the rider experience.”
BellHop’s Impact and Future Plans
Since launching in August 2023, BellHop has provided over 134,000 rides, traveled more than 113,407 miles, and helped prevent nearly 60 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson highlighted the program’s environmental benefits. “Adding the Kia EV9s to BellHop means faster service for the community and a greener city. By reducing emissions and offering a free, sustainable option, we’re meeting important city goals. As we update our 2026-2030 Sustainable Bellevue Plan, we’re inspired by forward-thinking projects like this.”
Amazon, one of BellHop’s major partners, also acknowledged the improvements. “BellHop has been a great transportation option for Amazon employees and the community, reducing single-occupancy vehicle trips and supporting sustainability,” said Shannon Loew, Vice President of Global Real Estate & Facilities at Amazon. “We’re excited to see continued investments in clean, connected mobility solutions.”
BellHop continues to lead the way in free, electric public transportation. By adding the Kia EV9, the program is setting an example for other cities looking to make transportation greener and more accessible.
