Thursday, May 24, 2018

Bird Relaunches Electric Scooter Service In Austin

Santa Monica-based electric scooter rental service Bird relaunched its services in Austin, Texas this week, after receiving a permit for its scooters in the city. The company had attempted to launch in Austin last month, but had to pull its scooters from operation after the Austin City Council passed an emergency ordinance prohibiting the scooters, and allowing cit workers to impound any scooters left on sidewalks. Bird reportedly had to pay around $29,000 in back fees--plus register all of its scooters at the cost of $30 each with the City of Austin. Bird faces stiff competition in Austin, from at least three competitors--LimeBike, Pace, GOAT--who also are active in the city.