A few weeks ago, the Sítyneta pilot project was launched, introducing a new public scooter rental service with the implementation of 320 units distributed across 40 stations throughout the upper part of the city.
In partnership with Tier, the company awarded the public tender, an investment of €618,640 is being made to ensure micromobility in Don Benito Park, Las Rehoyas, Infecar, La Minilla, and Siete Palmas.
Making a decisive commitment to electric micromobility, Jose Eduardo Ramirez, Councilor for Mobility in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, reveals to Mobility Portal that they hope for the success of this initiative in order to expand it.
“We are already seeking funding to purchase another 320 electric scooters. According to our calculations, the ideal number for the city is around 640 units and 100 stations. We are starting with half that amount, and in 2023 we will double the figures,” he explains.
According to the recently signed contract, the company has approximately 17 weeks to complete the deployment related to this operation.
But the reality is that Tier already has the installed infrastructure, technical means, and services through its bike systems, Sítycleta.
This mobility solution will be managed through the Municipal Parking Society (Sagulpa), which positions the city as one of the few Spanish cities with municipal administration of this type of initiative.
This primarily gives them the opportunity to set their own rules of the game and ensure the organization of the cities.
“We do not plan to authorize the Free-floating system. We have narrow sidewalks in our city, so we don’t want to add more obstacles to pedestrians, who are our main priority,” comments Jose Eduardo Ramirez.
In this way, all companies that may want to establish themselves in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria will always have to do so in connection with a parking model.
Meanwhile, regarding the use of this pilot program, anyone who does not park their scooter in the designated areas will receive a penalty for non-compliance.
Furthermore, to avoid other types of coexistence problems, the deployed units have a maximum speed of 25 km/h and will automatically reduce to 10 km/h in certain areas, all thanks to the implemented geolocation systems.
As for the pricing, it is detailed that the scooters can be rented for €0.17 per day, €5 per month, or €60 per year.
Another point that was introduced was a series of family discounts of 10% and 15%, as well as a combined pass with Sítycleta for €80 per year.
Leading by example
In an effort to combat the skepticism surrounding electric scooters, the Mobility Councilor of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria acknowledges that he himself is a user of them.
“We have acquired a total of 20 units for the police and the council, in order for us to start using them and provide security to the population,” explains Jose Eduardo Ramirez to this media outlet.
As such, he regularly uses these electric micro-mobility vehicles for different trips, as do many security officers of the City Council and members of his team.
“It is very important for the public to see a police officer riding one of these vehicles, as well as a political figure. If we can do it, so can they,” he reflects.
