Bikeshare

Thanks to Marco for sending:

“Looks like the first hike was a short stop to a massive hike.”

Yesterday we learned that JUMP (and Uber) was launching their scooters in D.C.

Marco writes this morning:

“We can’t take these companies seriously as they insinuate themselves into our cities as viable transportation options and then double their prices with one day’s notice.”

Ed. Note: For bikes it used to be $2 ride for 30 minutes and then .07/minute. I asked Marco to do the math on that, because I was told there would be no math today, and he replied:

“I guess from a customer perspective the “break even” is 13 minutes, so it’s a net loss to customers if the average rides are above that. But my bigger issue is the one day notice over email as it pertains to the city treating them as a transportation asset.”

From DDOT:

“The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced a major step toward more equitable transportation options with a broad but incremental expansion of the dockless vehicle sharing program for 2019.

In 2019, DDOT plans to issue ten public right-of-way occupancy permits to operators of dockless bicycles or electric scooters. The 10 approved permits will allow up to 6,000 vehicles, which is a 2.5 times the maximum of 2,400 on the street today. (more…)

From DDOT:

“Today, Mayor Bowser’s District Department of Transportation (DDOT) released the new permit application for the dockless vehicle program, which includes an expansion of the program beginning January 1, 2019.

“The new dockless permit requirements reflect the promise DDOT sees in this program to increase active transportation in the District, as well as the many valid concerns we heard from a wide range of stakeholders involving safety and equity,” said DDOT Director, Jeff Marootian. “With the new permit we are upholding Mayor Bowser’s commitment to fostering innovation and competition among the many operators in this space while also delivering the safest, most sustainable, and most efficient transportation options to District residents and visitors.”

The application lays out the District’s goals for the program, and includes detailed terms and conditions for companies that are intended to maximize the safety, equity and mobility of the program. The new requirements will apply to any company seeking to participate in the dockless vehicle sharing program in 2019. Permits issued during this period will be valid from January 1 to December 31, 2019.

After a review process, applications will be evaluated and DDOT will issue permits to qualified dockless vehicle operators.

Among the requirements for the 2019 program, participating companies must: (more…)