CDTA Launches Electric Scooter Program
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) is set to begin a new electric scooter program starting Friday, October 4. SCOOT will be available in pop-up events in Albany, Troy, Schenectady, and Saratoga Springs.
About SCOOT
"CDTA is excited to add another option for customers to our growing mobility menu," CDTA CEO Carm Basile said. "After working to find an operations vendor and updated technology, we’re excited to introduce SCOOT to Capital Region communities. We hope customers take advantage of this pilot program so we can learn what we need to do to formally add scooters to our menu of services and to have scooters readily available to customers in the near future."
How it Works
The scooters will cost $2 to unlock and 25 cents per minute to ride. Customers must be 18 years old with a driver’s license to rent a scooter. The company is working with DROP Mobility to launch a website and a mobile app, CDTA SCOOT. Customers will need to create a membership on the mobile app to rent a scooter.
Pop-up Event Schedule
The pilot will include 30 to 40 scooters each weekend, and they will be available from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Each scooter will be kept in a geofenced area in each city for safety purposes.
Safety Features
If a scooter leaves the geofenced area, the motor will shut down and customers will receive a text message to have them return the scooter. Scooters are allowed only on the roadways, not sidewalks, and must follow traffic laws.
Conclusion
The pilot program will help CDTA plan for future operations and technology. For more information about SCOOT, visit https://scootcdta.com/ or contact CDTA’s Customer Service Center at (518) 482-8822.
FAQs
Q: What is the cost to unlock and ride a scooter?
A: The scooters will cost $2 to unlock and 25 cents per minute to ride.
Q: Who can rent a scooter?
A: Customers must be 18 years old with a driver’s license to rent a scooter.
Q: Where will the scooters be available?
A: The scooters will be available in pop-up events in Albany, Troy, Schenectady, and Saratoga Springs.
Q: What is the geofenced area, and what happens if I leave it?
A: The geofenced area is a designated area in each city where the scooters will be kept. If you leave the geofenced area, the motor will shut down, and you will receive a text message to return the scooter.
Q: Are scooters allowed on sidewalks or in bike lanes?
A: No, scooters are only allowed on roadways and must follow traffic laws.
