Veo
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Renting electric scooters in Denver may soon get a lot cheaper.
This spring, the City of Denver is set to end its contracts with Lime and Bird to begin an exclusive partnership with the micromobility company Veo. That new contract is coming with new rates.
Veo intends to cut rental prices by nearly 50 percent for Denver residents, the company announced on Thursday, January 22. It will charge locals $0.25 per minute to rent their vehicles, compared to the current $0.44 per minute charged by Lime and Bird. Users will still pay the same $1 unlocking fee.
Veo celebrates the rate plan as “the most affordable pricing Denver has seen to date.” For low-income residents, prices will be even lower.
Denver is currently home to Lime’s largest equity program in the world, offering free scooter and bike rides to users who receive government subsidies, like SNAP and Medicaid. It is Lime’s only equity program in the country that provides rides completely for free, rather than at a discounted rate.
Veo says qualifying users will continue to receive free rides when it takes over Denver, though the specifics are not yet finalized. Veo’s access program will be open to individuals who participate in any local, state or federal assistance program, according to the company.
“Residents with low incomes will be guaranteed free riding every day,” says Veo Spokesperson Paige Miller. “We look forward to sharing more details as we continue to shape the program in partnership with the city.”
The ongoing negotiations are expected to last several months, but city officials say they intend to enter a three-year license agreement with Veo beginning around May. Once the proposal is finalized, it will need approval from Denver City Council.
What Do You Think?
Veo is asking Denver residents to weigh in as they prepare to roll out in the Mile High City. The company launched a community webpage to gather feedback on public opinions regarding e-scooter and bike affordability, access, vehicle types, complaints and more.
In addition to price changes, Veo intends to modify the city’s micromobility operations in several major ways.
Before users can rent a Veo scooter or bike for the first time, they will have to pass a quiz about Denver’s riding laws, according to the Denver Department of Transportation & Infrastructure. Veo’s vehicles will be able to detect when users ride on the sidewalk, ride with multiple passengers or park incorrectly. A sensor system will also detect sudden movements and swerving, alerting riders of unsafe behavior.
Riders who commit repeat offenses will be fined or suspended from the platform, according to DOTI.
Veo plans to match Denver’s current inventory of scooters and bikes, deploying around 9,000 vehicles initially — but the types of vehicles will be more varied. More than half of the fleet will be seated vehicles and Denver will be the first city in the country to access Veo’s new three-wheeled cargo trike, according to the company.
Denver residents can give their opinion on Veo’s plans at veoride.com/denver.
