Lime has relaunched in Saint Paul, Minnesota, with its Gen4 e-scooters and a continued focus on equity.
Lime has worked to continually improve and build upon success with its service in Saint Paul. Lime’s fleet upgrade last year followed its investment in 2021 in its Equity Zone Pricing initiative that offers 30% off all rides in the Frogtown, Payne Phalen, North End, Dayton’s Bluff and West Side neighborhoods. Lime has operated in Saint Paul since 2018, making the city one of Lime’s longest running markets.
Hardware
The goal of the Gen4 scooter is to provide the smoothest and most sustainable Lime scooter ride in our history. Highlights of the new vehicle model include:
- Swept back handlebars, a first for shared e-scooters and reminiscent of bike handles, allowing for more a comfortable grip.
- Dual hand brake system to make slowing and stopping easier and more immediate when needed.
- Lowered baseboard to optimize the center of gravity on the scooter and make getting on and off easier.
- New kickstand with two legs to help avoid scooters from being tipped over when parked, which can help to reduce clutter on sidewalks.
- Enhanced suspension and larger wheels mean a smoother ride over cracks, warped pavement and any other challenge a cityscape presents anything else the cityscape can throw at you.
Most important of all is the addition of a swappable battery, which will drive even greater efficiency in our operations and further reduce the carbon emissions of scooter riding.
Equity
Through Lime’s equity zone pricing initiative that launched in October 2021, all trips starting in areas designated by the City of Saint Paul as Areas of Concentrated Poverty (ACP) receive an automatic 30% discount. These areas have been traditionally underserved by existing modes of transportation and were designed to prioritize driving instead of sustainable transportation. Increased access to Lime vehicles can help to replace car trips, resulting in cleaner air and safer streets.
Equity zone pricing builds on Lime’s global equity initiative also available in Saint Paul, Lime Access, which provides significantly discounted rates to anyone who receives city, state, or federal benefits. Equity zone pricing supplements Lime Access, making sustainable transportation more affordable to St. Paul residents in need.
Through equity zone pricing, Lime aims to promote geographical equity in transportation, providing safe, affordable, and sustainable ways of getting around for anyone who lives, works or travels in an ACP zone. Additionally, the equity zone pricing plan will encourage economic activity in these neighborhoods as the City works to recover economically from the coronavirus pandemic.
Building a Sustainable Business
Lime recently became the first micromobility company to post a full profitable year. Lime’s success is due to its focus on being the best partner to cities, working collaboratively to build successful micromobility programs tailored to fit each city’s unique needs. This financial success allows Lime to invest in its services to cities and build programs that will last; that are stable and reliable for cities and riders. For Saint Paul, that means continued investments in Lime Access and equity pricing and even deeper community partnerships to ensure we give back to the communities we serve.
Lime achieved its best year ever, with a record $466 million in gross bookings in 2022, a 33% increase from 2021, and hit Adjusted EBITDA of $15 million. Lime was also profitable on an unadjusted EBITDA basis. Lime provides shared e-bikes and e-scooters in more than 250 cities in nearly 30 countries as it continues its mission to decarbonize transportation globally and serve as an alternative for the car.