The Seattle Department of Transportation expects to approve permits for new bikeshare companies Sept. 4, which could pave the way for two new services in the city.
Related: We tested out a JUMP e-bike as Uber plans Seattle launch of the dockless bike-share service
Three companies have applied for permanent, dockless bikeshare permits in Seattle: Lime, Lyft, and Uber. Lime is already operating its bright green bicycles in Seattle, as the company was one of three in a year-long pilot program.
Spin and Ofo, the other two companies in the pilot, are shutting down service in Seattle. Both cited Seattle’s new $250,000 annual fee as one reason for their departures. At the same time, Ofo has made widespread layoffs in the U.S., and Spin has been pivoting to free-floating electric scooters.
Uber and Lyft are better known for their widely used ride-hailing services, both of which operate in Seattle.
Lime, Lyft, and Uber are willing to swallow the annual fee, though it is one of the highest in the country. Uber plans to roll out a demo fleet of its all-electric JUMP bikes this fall if the company receives a permit from the city. By spring, Uber plans to deploy the maximum 5,000 bikes allowed per service.
Lyft declined to comment on its launch plans in Seattle.
