University of Toledo students will have a new means of transportation to travel to class this fall.
On campus will be 125 electric scooters as an alternative transportation service for UT students, faculty, and staff.
“It gives the students a very functional choice and opportunity to move from point A and point B, and have some fun in the process,” said Larry Kelley, UT executive vice president for finance and administration.
UT partnered with a company called Lime, which has brought the Lime-S scooter to several cities and universities across the country, including Columbus.
The lime green electric scooters can travel up to roughly 15 miles per hour and will be stationed at various spots across UT’s main campus. Users must unlock the scooter through the free Lime app. Riders are then charged $1 to start the scooter and an additional 15 cents per minute. Customers can drop the scooters off wherever their ride ends.
Electric scooters will arrive at @UToledo this fall. Here’s a sneak peek of the fun to come! pic.twitter.com/6LATk6bmYJ
— Javonte Anderson (@JavonteA) August 2, 2018
Every night, Lime will pick up the GPS-tracked scooters, recharge them, and take them to their original stations for the next morning.
The company will be responsible for the maintenance of the scooters and will keep all money received, Mr. Kelley said. The electric scooters will not cost UT. The scooters are equipped with safety features including a brake, kickstand, and bell to alert pedestrians. Helmets are not included.
Riders must be at least 18 years old with a valid driver’s license.
Ryan Hieber, a UT senior, said he’s excited about the scooters making their campus debut this fall.
“It shows that they’re trying to keep up with the new innovations with technology,” he said. “Not just everyone has scooters.”
In fact, Lime bikes or scooters are only at 19 college campuses, according to the company’s website.
“UT has been a real exciting partner to work with. ... They’re clearly not afraid to be at the vanguard of affordable sustainable transportation,” said Todd O’Boyle, Lime’s director of strategic development.
Mr. Kelley said he does not believe the scooters pose a threat to campus safety.
“They’ll be as safe as a bicycle, and we strongly encourage students to wear a helmet,” he said.
UT recently partnered with the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority to allow its students to ride the regional bus service for free, helping students travel across the region more easily.
Mr. Kelley said he believes the electric scooter-sharing program adds another level of excitement for the upcoming school year.
“I think we’re going to see students have a good time.”
Contact Javonte Anderson at janderson@theblade.com, 419-724-6065, or on Twitter @JavonteA.
First Published August 2, 2018, 8:47 p.m.
