ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) is piloting an electric scooter program called SCOOT, beginning Friday. There will be pop-up events in Albany, Troy, Schenectady, and Saratoga Springs for people to give the scooters a try.
According to CDTA, SCOOT will be available in the City of Albany Friday, October 4, through Sunday, October 6, and in the City of Troy from Friday, October 11 through Sunday, October 13. SCOOT will also be available in the City of Schenectady on Friday, October 18 through Sunday, October 20.
The City of Saratoga Springs will pilot the scooters from Friday, October 25, through Sunday, October 27. 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.
CDTA is working with DROP Mobility to launch updated software, a new website, and an updated
mobile app. Customers will need to create a membership via the mobile app called “CDTA
SCOOT.” Lindsey Bradt, CDTA's Mobility Manager, said there is QR code on each scooter that allows you to start the ride when scanned and enter your license information.
"You will hear the scooter unlock, pull the cable lock out of the scooter, and away you go," Bradt said. "It’s two dollars to unlock the scooter $.25 every minute that you ride it. When you’re done riding, bring it back to any SCOOT rack in the riding area.”
CDTA also notes that those who want to rent a scooter must be 18 years old with driver’s license verification. Scooters will only be allowed in a specific geofenced area in each city for safety and efficiency purposes. Bradt also said that several people in the Capital Region have been waiting for the appearance of scooters in their cities.
"CDTA is always looking for new innovative ways to get people around where they need to go and the scooters are the next thing for us," Bradt said. "And there has been some interest in the scooter so we want to get them out on the street and let people give them a try."
If a scooter leaves the geofenced area, the motor will shut down, and customers will receive a text directing them to return the scooter, according to CDTA. The CEO of CDTA, Carm Basile, said this is one of the ways the company plans to make sure scooters are used appropriately and taken care of.
"We manage our bike share programs CDPHP cycle," Basile said. "You don't see bikes thrown all over the place because we manage it, we manage it tightly. We're concerned about our region. We live and work here. So, I think we'll take a different approach than some of the other cities that have national providers of scooters."
CDTA notes that scooters must also remain on roadways, follow traffic laws, and they are not permitted on sidewalks in the geofenced areas. Customers are encouraged to wear helmets when riding. The Albany Police Department told News10 that the scooters are considered vehicles just like a car or motorcycle.
“APD advises anyone that is going to use the scooters to follow all rules and regulations of the vehicle and traffic law," Megan Craft, Albany Police Department.
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