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Pilot subsidy dramatically increases sign-ups for Lime Access micro-mobility program
Summary
A two-month subsidy pilot that made up to five 30-minute Lime rides per day free produced 1,400 new Lime Access sign-ups, tens of thousands of subsidized trips and persistent elevated usage after the pilot ended, MobileGR staff told the commission.
MobileGR staff reported on Feb. 6 that a two-month subsidy pilot of Lime's affordability program substantially increased enrollments and usage, and staff recommended exploring future affordability options and service-area adjustments.
"We changed our Lime Access model to 5 free 30-minute trips per day," said Trent Serra, Mobility Planning Analyst with MobileGR, describing the pilot that ran in late summer and early fall. MobileGR reimbursed Lime for the additional subsidy and budgeted $100,000 for the effort; staff said they ultimately spent about $85,000 after invoice adjustments.
Staff reported the pilot's outcomes: more than 1,400 new Lime Access sign-ups during the two-month period, roughly 34,000 Lime Access trips in that time, and an increase in regular Lime Access ridership that persisted after the subsidy ended. During the pilot, Lime Access users accounted for about 17% of all trips in the city; in the two months after the pilot, staff said they still recorded roughly 300 Lime Access trips per day despite colder weather and the return to the program's standard discount model.
Serra said the pilot also generated survey and interview data. Among respondents to the intake survey, 86% reported annual household income below $50,000 and 65% reported having no access to a private motor vehicle. Respondents reported using the service for commuting, shopping and social activities; many reported transportation cost savings. Staff summarized participant feedback: "It relieved economic stress, made my daily commute and errands more accessible," and some users reported the program helped them get or keep a job.
MobileGR said the pilot changed rider behavior: average trip durations for Lime Access users increased (from roughly 10 minutes before the pilot to 17 minutes during it), and mode substitution analysis showed riders taking trips by micro-mobility instead of walking, taxis/rideshare, the rapid bus and, in some cases, private vehicles.
Staff also described operational lessons and next steps. Lime's partner team and researchers from McGill University helped design the intake survey and analyze results. MobileGR staff highlighted outstanding issues to resolve before committing to a recurring subsidy: funding source and scale, device availability in parts of the city, fleet mix (Lime currently operates a 50/50 split of e-bikes and scooters but most trips are now scooters), rider safety concerns and coordination with public safety responders.
Commissioners and staff discussed safety and equity trade-offs. Several members urged further study of the fleet split and safety outcomes for scooters versus e-bikes; staff noted Lime is testing hand-throttle e-bike models to improve accessibility. Staff also said they plan to bring KPI reports outlined in the Lime contract back to the commission and to explore options for future affordability programs in 2025.
Speakers on the item included Trent Serra (Mobility Planning Analyst, MobileGR), Jessica (MobileGR staff), and a Lime operations representative who assisted with outreach and pilot implementation. MobileGR staff recommended further evaluation and additional community engagement before adopting a regular, city-funded subsidy.
