Hoboken scooter program scores 23,000 rides in its first week

Gabrielle Saulsbery//June 5, 2019//

Hoboken scooter program scores 23,000 rides in its first week

Gabrielle Saulsbery//June 5, 2019//

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Hobokeners are really rolling with the city’s newly created dockless electric scooter program.

The city of Hoboken launches its first-in-the-tri-state-area scooter share program on May 20, 2019. – LIME

In the first week after launching on May 20, more than 10,300 riders took in excess of 21,500 rides on Lime scooters, one of two scooter companies participating in the pilot program along with OjO Electric.

Riders took approximately 2,500 OjO rides in the same week. OjO has 50 sit-and-ride scooters on the road, along with Lime’s 250 kick-scooters.

Over a three day period within the first week, Hoboken had the highest ridership of any of Lime’s markets in the world.

“Lime’s mobile solution is the right fit for Hoboken because it’s affordable, reliable, and convenient – and this first week exceeded our high expectations,” said Phil Jones, Lime’s senior director of east coast government relations and strategic partnerships in a statement. “We will continue to work with the City of Hoboken and other governments across the Tri-State area to improve transportation options for all.”

The median trip was eight minutes, with a median distance of 0.8 miles. Overall, 15,300 miles of driving were avoided and over 650 gallons of gas were saved.

OjO scooters cater to a different type of ride. Seated scooters allow for longer rides on average, and have baskets that help with errand-running.

The average OjO ride in the first week was 1.8 miles, with the scooters covering 4,000 miles overall for over 1,000 customers.

To date, OjO Vice President of Sales and Partnerships Matthew Tolan said the company has given over 5,000 rides, covered over 7,500 miles cover, and had 2,100 customers.

Hoboken resident and business owner Prestor Junger said he was thrilled to see scooters in his city.

“Electric scooters add to the Mile Square City’s fast, energy-efficient and convenient transportation options. Not to mention these scooters make a great last and first mile delivery and commuting alternative,” said Junger in a statement.

Junger is also a Lime Juicer, someone who gathers scooters with low batteries around town, charges them, and redeploys them in his neighborhood.

Lime and OjO electric are working with the City of Hoboken and Hoboken Police Department on rider education and safety protocols.

“The adoption has been terrific,” said Tolan. “The citizens of Hoboken are supporting the move toward alternate modes of mobility.”

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include comment from Lime, and to update the number of rides from Hoboken’s first week of its scooter program from 21, 500 to 23,000.