Austin Transportation posts updated director's rules for shared micromobility after device reductions; public comment open

Austin Transportation and Public Works staff briefed the Downtown Commission on April 21, 2025, about recent changes to the city’s shared micromobility program, outreach results and a posted update to the department’s director’s rules that will be open for public comment.

Joseph Vohadri (Parking Enterprise Manager) and Michael Kimbro (Program Manager, Shared Mobility Services) said the city imposed a cap on the number of vendors and devices after two vendors left the market in 2023. The cap and device reductions — a roughly 29% citywide cut in devices and a 44% reduction inside the Downtown Austin Project Coordination Zone — have produced a modest decline in overall trips and operational benefits for enforcement and vendors, the presenters said.

Kimbro presented high‑level metrics comparing two 12‑month periods (April 1–March 31 year‑over‑year): total trips citywide fell from about 2,915,000 to about 2,850,000 (a 3% decrease). Downtown trips declined from roughly 2,000,000 to about 1,800,000 (a 9% decrease) despite the much larger decline in downtown devices. Trips per vehicle per day rose: citywide from 1.21 to 1.36 trips per vehicle; downtown from about 1.1 to roughly 1.8 trips per…