New micromobility program brings convenient, sustainable travel option for residents, workers, and visitors
Hartford, CT, August 28, 2024 – Today, the City of Hartford, the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG), and Veo announced a partnership to bring fleets of shared scooters to Hartford and the region. Veo will begin deploying its initial fleet of 220 standing scooters in Hartford on August 28. The program is expected to expand to New Haven in the coming months and aims to include additional communities next year.
“Shared scooters are back, and we can’t be more excited to once again work with our cities and towns to help provide residents and visitors an affordable, car-free, and fun way of exploring their community,” said Matt Hart, Executive Director at the Capitol Region Council of Government. “When beginning the search for a new vendor, CRCOG set out to establish a successful, long-term partnership to enhance mobility in the region, and we believe Veo can deliver.”
CRCOG’s contract permits any city and town that is a member of the Capitol Region Purchasing Council, including municipalities outside of the CRCOG region, to explore feasibility within their community and seamlessly contract with Veo.
"Providing residents with affordable and accessible transportation is crucial to continue fostering a more inclusive and connected community,” said Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam. “We’re thrilled for the launch of this program in collaboration with Veo to not only make it easier for residents to access public transit and navigate the City without a car, but to be a leader in sustainable mobility in Hartford and beyond."
"The Capitol Region’s dedication to sustainable, equitable mobility makes it the ideal partner for shared micromobility," said Jeff Hoover, Veo’s Director of Government Partnerships. "Shared scooters help residents get to work on time, save on gas and parking costs, or simply try out a fun car-free option to get around. We look forward to working closely with our municipal partners to ensure this program meets the unique needs of the community for years to come.”
How to Ride
- Locate a ride: Riders aged 18+ can locate vehicles using the free Veo app.
- Unlock and go: Using the Veo app, riders scan a QR code and pay $1 to unlock the vehicle. Riders then pay $0.36 per minute to ride the electric Astro standing scooter.
- End your ride in a designated location: Upon completion of the ride, riders can park their vehicle in a bike rack, designated corral, or on the perimeter of the sidewalk outside of the pedestrian right of way. Riders must take a photo within the app to confirm proper parking.
Promotions and Offers
- Launch promotion: Riders can get $5 in free credit with the promo code Hart24 through September 30.
- Veo Access: Riders with low incomes can visit veoride.com/veo-access to apply for a discounted rate. For $5 per month, riders get 30 minutes of free riding per day and a discounted $.20/minute rate thereafter.
- VeoPlus: VeoPlus is a monthly subscription that offers discounted rides. Signing up for the $6.99 per month program waives all unlock fees and grants members access to exclusive offers.
Safe Riding Tips
- Yield to pedestrians: Respect pedestrians' right of way and maintain a safe distance while riding. Exercise caution when passing or crossing paths with walkers or joggers.
- Obey traffic laws: Follow traffic signs and signals and ride with the flow of traffic.
- Wear a helmet: Prioritize your safety by wearing a helmet while you ride.
- Ride sober: Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
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About the Capitol Regional Council of Governments (CRCOG)
CRCOG leads as a catalyst to enhance the quality of life, vibrancy, and vitality of the Greater Hartford region. CRCOG provides planning, programs, and services to its member municipalities and is the region's designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). CRCOG is a strong advocate for the region and regional solutions.
About Veo
Veo is on a mission to end car dependency by making clean transportation accessible to all. We have provided millions of shared bike and scooter rides in 50+ cities and universities across North America – and we’re just getting started.
Veo operates from a set of values that distinguish us in the industry. We are grounded in financial responsibility: Veo partnered with select cities to achieve profitability before scaling. We’re constantly innovating: Veo’s in-house design and manufacturing process enables us to provide cities with the safest, most accessible fleet of electric bikes and scooters on the shared-use market. We believe in collaborative partnerships: Veo develops long-term partnerships with cities and universities so we can work together toward a sustainable, safe, and equitable transportation future.
