As of Wednesday, Lyft scooters are no longer available in Austin, the ride-rental company announced on its website.
The company did not explain why it pulled its devices and has not immediately responded to a request for comment. Lyft’s ride-rental and bike services will continue, the company said.
However, the company’s bikes are not included on the city’s list of devices that are licensed to operate in Austin.
“We’re grateful to our scooter riders in Austin as well as our partners in Austin city government,” a Lyft spokesperson told Austin Culture Map. “We’re shifting resources and have made the tough decision to end scooter operations today, April 29. We continue to support riders’ essential travel needs during this time with other modes of reliable transportation.”
CNBC reported Wednesday that Lyft is laying off 982 employees and 288 others will be furloughed amid the coronavirus pandemic. Salary cuts were also made, the cable business news network reported.
Lyft operated 2,000 scooters in Austin, according to the city’s website. When a company like Lyft applies to deploy devices in Austin, it pays $30 for each device, according to the application. That permit fee is paid every six months, the application says.
The scooters were pulled out of Austin during a time that is typically busy for the devices. The annual South by Southwest festivals, for instance, bring in thousands of visiting riders and boost usage numbers.
However, SXSW was canceled this year because of the coronavirus threat, and the city instituted stay-at-home orders, which have led to dwindling ridership and revenue.
Between March 13 and April 29 last year, when SXSW was in full swing and spring breakers were freely traveling, 875,012 rides were taken on a scooter in Austin, city data shows.
But between March 13 and April 29 this year, only 49,183 scooter rides were recorded, according to the city’s data.
Before pulling its devices, Lyft was offering free scooter rides to medical workers and first responders during the pandemic. A Lyft spokesperson told Austin Culture Map that people in that program will receive a $200 ride-rental credit.
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