Washington, D.C. is now offering its residents a new scooter company option, which is actually a business co-founded by Jamaican Olympic sprint legend Usain Bolt.
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced on Tuesday that a dockless scooter operation permit was given to Bolt Mobility.
During the first stage, 600 scooters can be run by the company in D.C. However, after the end of this year, it is allowed to increase the number of its scooters by up to 25 percent each quarter.
“Usain Bolt believes that through Bolt, we can revolutionize sustainable transportation in urban areas with affordable, accessible choices,” the company’s website says, adding that their goal is to “ensure that everyone can benefit from our practical mobility solution.”
The company, which was founded last year is operating in 10 U.S. cities, and slowly expanding into Europe, with Paris last May and London soon.
The District's dockless fleet is growing! @Bolt_Now was awarded a mid-year permit to operate scooters in the District. Bolt, @go_hopr and @razorshare were granted conditional approval for e-bikes and scooters. #scootdc #bikedc 🛴🚴♂️
🔗https://t.co/lvtSVFJNVP pic.twitter.com/U3M09qXguy
— DDOT DC (@DDOTDC) July 16, 2019
“The dockless vehicle program is moving the District closer to Mayor Bowser’s goal to provide accessible transportation options across all eight wards,” said DDOT Director Jeff Marootian regarding the announcement. “Reopening the permit application allows us to expand the field of operators and reward the most innovative, safe and efficient providers of dockless bikes and scooters.”
According to the press release, DDOT has issued eight permits in 2019, which paved the way for 4,815 more dockless vehicles to be used in the city. In addition to Bolt, Hopr and Razor “were granted conditional approval, pending receipt of permit fees”, the release added.
Applications for more dockless vehicles to be operated in 2020 will be opened in Fall 2019. DDOT encourages companies interested in the 2019 Dockless Vehicle Permit to check out the instructions, data reporting details and sample Terms and Conditions agreements here.