Bhalla optimistic Hoboken’s E-scooter program will be back after pilot expires next week

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Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla sounds optimistic that the city’s E-scooter program will eventually be back after their pilot arrangement expires next week.

Photo courtesy of the City of Hoboken.

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

“We strive to be leaders in providing sustainable transportation options within our mile square that enhance mobility for residents,” Bhalla said in a statement.

“E-scooters have proven to be a very popular first-mile, last-mile connection for residents to get around our city, and when used responsibly, provide important quality of life improvements for residents. As a city, we’ve gained valuable first-hand knowledge of what has worked with the program, and the safety and enforcement tools that can be improved for a better riding experience for users and non-users of the program.”

The mayor continued that he’s asking 3rd Ward Councilman Mike Russo, the chair of the council’s transportation and parking subcommittee, along with 2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, to form a working committee with Transportation Director Ryan Sharp to come up with long- and short-term ideas for a potential pilot extension.

Furthermore, the results of the comprehensive public survey regarding e-scooters will be provided to the public. Over 2,000 people filled out the survey which was available to all members of the community. A program evaluation report will also be released.

According to Lime, over 640,000 trips have been taken within Hoboken by over 70,000 unique riders during the pilot period.

In August, the City and Lime updated the terms of the pilot agreement with the City receiving a per-ride fee of $0.35 to invest in greater enforcement and education tools, and transportation infrastructure upgrades.

The following month, the council approved a measure to ban E-scooters on the waterfront and in parks in light of a woman, with her baby in a stroller, being struck by an E-scooter – which happened just before the city terminated their agreement with OjO.

Then in October, the city hired two Micromobility Code Enforcement Officers to enforce City ordinances and regulations pertaining to e-scooters and other mobility devices. The two officers have been funded through the per ride fee provided to the city from Lime.

The next meeting of the Hoboken City Council is on Wednesday, December 4th.


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2 COMMENTS

  1. We should ban unpopular Mayors. Then we could dump Bhalla the way we dumped his Council puppets and we can reclaim our sidewalks for pedestrians instead of scooters.

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