They have become an integral part of many cities in Austria. Although e-scooters are becoming increasingly popular, they are still controversial. In Vienna, rental e-scooter operators have already received 50,000 fines.
Transport councilor Ulli Sima (SPÖ) reported this to the city council on Wednesday. In 2023, Vienna limited the number of providers and concessions granted. Companies must adhere to certain provisions set out in the contracts. Originally there were four rental companies in Vienna, but two of them have since withdrawn their companions.
Certain requirements
The companies must meet a number of requirements, such as removing scooters that are illegally parked on the sidewalk. The fact that this does not always happen as prescribed is regularly criticized. But there were also problems with a lack of contact persons, Sima explained on Wednesday. According to the permit, they should have an Austrian registration address, which was not always the case.
The administrative fines are reduced
In the end, two providers remained, “who are clearly trying harder,” as Sima said. But so far she doesn’t seem completely satisfied. Administrative fines have now fallen: from 7,000 during peak times to recently 1,000 per month. But that was still too much, according to the councilor.
Therefore, there are currently no plans to expand the fleets again – that is to say, to reallocate the capacity freed up by the withdrawal of the two companies to the others. “I’m glad that we now have this somewhat under control,” said Sima. However, they are currently not interested in further doubling the fleet.
Source: Krone
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