No scooter companies have applied to operate in Fairfax County

This article was updated on February 18, 2020

Six weeks after the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors opened up permits for shareable e-scooters, it’s still waiting for a company to apply.

So far, no scooter companies have applied for permits to operate in the county, which has about 1.1 million people and has pushed in recent years to expand mobility options, especially around Tysons and Silver Line stations.

“We view e-scooters as an effective means to help increase Metro ridership and reduce single-occupancy vehicle (SOV) trips around Tysons,” Tysons Transportation Management Association Director Ronit Dancis said in a November meeting about the scooter ordinance.

Tony Castrilli, director of public affairs for Fairfax County, said the county notified companies when supervisors approved a scooter program and again when the permit applications opened up on January 1. The county also set up a website to inform the public and companies.

“Fairfax County does not have prior experience with Shared Mobility Devices on which to compare,” Castrilli said when asked about the county’s expectations. The time of year could explain the slow response, he said. “Shared Mobility Devices could be viewed as a more warm-weather mode of transportation.”

Castrilli pointed to the City of Fairfax, which launched its pilot program last July. Currently Lime, Bird, and Spin, all have e-scooters in the city. An October presentation from the City of Fairfax laid out a regional comparison of scooter activity, and reported that three companies had applied within the first two months.

It’s safe to say that scooters are having a moment in the region. Since debuting in DC in 2018, shareable e-scooters spread across the region, rolling into Arlington County, Alexandria, the City of Fairfax, Montgomery County, and Silver Spring. DC plans to limit the number of scooter operators in its borders this year, but a final decision on permits is still on hold.

We asked scooter companies Lime, Spin, and Bird if they plan to apply for Fairfax County. A spokesperson for Lime said, “It’s great to see Fairfax County looking for ways to deliver new transportation options to its residents. We’ll continue to explore opportunities to serve the area as the year moves forward.”

Currently there are no deadlines or restrictions for applicants.

Castrilli said the county is hopeful that applications will start coming in soon. “Based on prior interest by and communication with potential Shared Mobility Device operators providing service in surrounding jurisdictions, it is anticipated that companies will apply in Fairfax County,” he said.

[Read our previous coverage: Fairfax County adopts rules for dockless scooters and bicycles]