The startup, which hired an electric scooter, will find it harder to work in San Francisco. At least, if the city authorities realize their intentions.
As reported by Business Insider, the authority of San Francisco plans to seriously tighten the nut in relation to electric car rental companies. In particular, to start work they must obtain a special permit, and the maximum number of scooters from one company will be limited to 500.
Startups that rent out electric cars with pay-as-you-go schemes (with payments for actual usage time) attracted substantial investments in recent years and developed a frenzied activity in San Francisco. The problem is that startup works on models that are already in-mode "without dock" - the company leaves scooters in different parts of the city, customers open them through apps, and after the trip they leave almost anywhere. Officials claim that many residents of the city are tired by tripping scooters standing literally everywhere - on sidewalks, access roads and stairs.It came to the point that some angry townspeople began to damage the scooters that were blocking them.
The first two years after the entry into force of the restrictions will be tested - the city authorities will continue to monitor how the new rules work, and, if necessary, amend them. And this pilot project is about to begin - to receive applications from companies to lease an electric car the San Francisco authority will start in May.
Of course, startup itself is very angry with the plan.
Now in San Francisco, there are three companies like (Bird, LimeBike and Spin), and only one bird has 1.6 thousand scooters. Meanwhile, according to the new rules from all cities they will have to stay only 1,500 startups officials say their work they reduce the need for residents in road transport and help the authorities to achieve the stated objectives -. In 2030 to reduce the number of cars on city streets at 80%.
However, the authority of San Francisco remains adamant. They have sent an official letter about the need to postpone the work and start evacuating parked scooters by breaking the rules.