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Columbus to move from permit model to direct contract for shared mobility; staff announce Veo as selected vendor
Summary
City staff told a council committee they will amend Chapter 904 to embed sidewalk/accessibility priorities and move to a contract model; staff announced Veo Rides Inc. as the selected regional vendor and said an extension of the existing Cogo contract will be brought to council to allow an orderly transition.
City transportation staff said Columbus will change its shared‑mobility rules to reflect a transition from a multiple‑vendor permit approach to a direct contract model tied to the city’s procurement process.
Justin Goodwin, administrator for mobility and parking services in the Department of Public Service, told the council committee the changes to Title 9, Chapter 904 would make clear city policy that sidewalks and ADA curb ramps must be kept free from obstruction and would embed that policy into the code to strengthen enforcement options. "It shall be the policy of the city to maximize the available space for pedestrian movement within the sidewalk and other similar public rights of way," Goodwin said in describing the proposed language.
Goodwin said the city and a regional partner group issued an RFP and selected Veo Rides Inc. as the vendor to operate a combined bike‑share and e‑scooter program for participating jurisdictions. He said the current Cogo bike‑share system has been publicly owned since its 2013 launch, but stations and bicycles include proprietary vendor technology; the city is negotiating disposition and valuation with the outgoing operator. "Cogo has always been a publicly owned bike share system since it was launched in 2013," Goodwin said.
To allow an orderly transition from the current Lyft‑operated contract, staff will bring an ordinance to extend that contract through March next year to coincide with the new program rollout. Goodwin said the City Attorney’s Office has reviewed the proposed code edits and that staff expect to issue a right‑of‑way lease for the new vendor consistent with procurement outcomes.
Several residents asked about communications and asset ownership. Goodwin said staff have briefed both Lyft and Veo about the transition and expect a robust public communications plan in January 2025 after negotiating the final terms and milestones with both vendors.
The code amendment (ordinance 2851/2024) and the Bike Plus adoption ordinance were announced for council consideration; staff asked people with comments to submit them before Dec. 9 and Dec. 16, 2024, respectively.
