ARIZONA NEWS

E-scooter company Lime packing up to leave Phoenix

Jan 10, 2020, 7:16 AM | Updated: 5:56 pm

(AP Photo)...

(AP Photo)

(AP Photo)

PHOENIX – Electric scooter startup Lime will be rolling out of metro Phoenix and 11 other cities where profitability has been a struggle, the company confirmed Thursday.

“While the vast majority of our 120+ markets have adopted micromobility transportation solutions quickly and are profitable, there are select communities throughout the world where micromobility has evolved more slowly,” Lime CEO Brad Bao said in a post on its website.

“For this reason, we have made the difficult decision to close 12 markets across the globe at this time.”

Lime had been participating in Phoenix’s six-month e-scooter pilot program (limited to a specific downtown area) with a fleet of 300 and will be the second dockless scooter group to leave the city.

Competitor Bird pulled out in September.

Lime did not say how many jobs would be affected. Other cities that will lose the scooters were Atlanta, San Diego and San Antonio, Texas; and eight international cities, including Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo in Brazil.

Lime’s scooters were available in more than 120 cities around the world.

“We are immensely grateful for the partnerships we’ve enjoyed with each one of these cities and the continued support from our riders, and we remain hopeful we can reintroduce Lime back into these communities when the time is right,” the statement read.

Lime has left a Valley city before. Nearly a year ago, the Tempe City Council imposed new fees and regulations to operate scooters there. Lime’s response was to say goodbye.

Phoenix’s pilot program is scheduled to end March 16.

Ashley Patton with the City of Phoenix said they’re working with the only current active vendor, Spin.

“We are currently evaluating whether we should increase the fleet to maybe 900 or maybe somewhere around there,” Patton told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

They’ll open up applications to other vendors in March.

KTAR News 92.3 FM Nailea Leon contributed to this report. 

Array

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap has downsized his external communications staff from seven to ...

Associated Press

New Maricopa County recorder signals shift away from combating disinformation

Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap is moving away from the office's previous efforts to combat misinformation.

2 hours ago

2025 flu season worse than it's been in 15 years, data shows...

Serena O'Sullivan

Arizona nurse practitioner says this flu season is worse than last

The 2025 flu season is hitting Arizonans hard, with some patients staying sick for a whole week, according to a Banner Health nurse practitioner.

3 hours ago

climate change, young people, Mesa...

Roxanne De La Rosa

Young adults and teens combat climate change through Mesa initiative

A new Mesa grant initiative will allow young adults and teens to compete for funding for projects and ideas that address climate change.

4 hours ago

Fountain Hills law enforcement...

Roxanne De La Rosa

Fountain Hills announces drop in law enforcement costs without reduced service

A law enforcement contract between Fountain Hills and the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office will drop in cost in the upcoming year without any reduction in service.

4 hours ago

Investigators look at a crashed Learjet at Scottsdale Airport after it collided with a parked plane...

Associated Press

1 killed, 3 injured in Scottsdale Airport runway crash involving Mötley Crüe singer’s plane

One person died and three others were hurt when a plane owned by Mötley Crüe's singer collided with another plane the Scottsdale Airport runway.

12 hours ago

drug bust...

Roxanne De La Rosa

Police arrest 5 suspects in social media drug ring

Five suspects took part in a social media drug ring and were arrested for trafficking military style weapons, firearms and drugs.

12 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Asset Preservation Wealth & Tax

How to optimize the most money in 2024 tax returns

As tax season begins, getting your financials in order is important to maximize your tax return.

...

Bright Wealth Management

How IRAs are a helpful tool in retirement planning

When it comes to retirement planning, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) can be a great tool for income growth.

...

Fiesta Bowl Foundation

Join us for the 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade

The 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe returns on Saturday, December 28, at 10 a.m.

E-scooter company Lime packing up to leave Phoenix