Traffic & Transit
Dallas rental scooter program: new improved program, old problems
Dallas rental scooter program was relaunched in May with new regulations, but residents still see some of the old, well-known problems
Dallas - In May 2023, Dallas reintroduced shared scooters and e-bikes to its streets. However, just three months after the relaunch, the city has been inundated with various complaints, Dallas Metro News reported. To tackle these new challenges, the Dallas Transportation and Infrastructure Committee conducted a review of the program earlier this week.
According to city data, the 311 non-emergency line has received over 1,200 scooter-related grievances, most of which originated from the Uptown and Deep Ellum neighborhoods. During the review, Dallas Transportation Department Director Gus Khankarli and Chief Planner Kathryn Rush informed City Council members about these issues.
Community groups, such as Downtown Dallas Inc., have voiced difficulties in locating available scooters. Khankarli and Rush suggested that relocating some scooters to the central business district could alleviate this problem by spreading the vehicles more evenly throughout the city. It was emphasized that this move would not result in an increase in the overall number of scooters, a point of concern for City Council members.
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To address ongoing issues, the Dallas Transportation Department is collaborating closely with scooter providers. The aim is to circumvent past challenges, including the clustering of scooters in particular areas.
City officials highlighted plans to install multiple parking corrals throughout Dallas to better organize scooter distribution. The initiative is part of an ongoing study assessing the demand for scooters and e-bikes in the metropolitan area.
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According to researchers Khankarli and Rush, daily scooter ridership has seen a decline, dropping from 3,250 rides at the program's inception to just 1,000 rides per day this past August. The slump is largely attributed to the sweltering summer heat experienced in North Texas.
Previously, Dallas grappled with the issue of users taking scooters for unauthorized "joyrides." However, Khankarli and Rush have noted that introducing defined ride zones and restricted hours of operation have mitigated this behavior. Scooters are programmed to decelerate and eventually halt if taken out of approved areas or used beyond specified times.
To ensure the ongoing success and improvement of the program, the Dallas Transportation Department has committed to conducting quarterly reviews.
Credit: Dallas Metro News, City of Dallas, Dallas Transportation Department
