We know you’ve heard this before, but e-scooters are coming to the streets of Tampa.
We first started hearing about the damn things last fall, and April was supposed see three companies launch about 1,800 scooters, but now city officials are saying that Tampa’s Shared Motorized Scooter Pilot Program might not start until the end of this month of June.
That’s what Tampa’s transportation and stormwater services department director Jean Duncan told TBBJ yesterday, citing the fact that the city added a fourth vendor, Lime, to the three already confirmed to service the city (Spin, JUMP and Bird). I got to ride a Lime scooter at a recent Tampa Heights Civic Association meeting, and trust me: I might quit driving my car to CL’s Ybor City offices once these babies are on the street.
Duncan added that the four vendors are currently obtaining right of way permits and identifying locations for scooter corrals. Documents say that the city may veto any of the locations at any time for any reason, and corral locations may change based on usage.
Each operator can start by putting up to 600 scooters into service, as as we pointed out in February, the city has also specifically stated that the scooters will not be allowed on the Tampa Riverwalk, the Bayshore Boulevard sidewalk, 7th Avenue or on any private property.
Follow @cl_tampabay on Twitter to get the most up-to-date news + views. Subscribe to our newsletter, too.
This article appears in May 9-16, 2019.