Data Gathering of Dockless Transport Use in Mexico City

Location: Mexico City, Mexico

Population: 21,804,515 (metropolitan area)

Climate: Subtropical highland

Duration: 2019 – currently

Sector: Transport

Funding sources: Public

City networks: C40

Savings: N/A

Solutions: Implementing a “Pilot” project of Sustainable Individual Transportation Systems (SiTIS).

Multiple benefits: The municipality has drafted better guidelines for managing their use through this detailed study of dockless bike and scooter use in Mexico City.

Following the fast expansion of dockless bikes and scooters in the city, the government of Mexico City has embarked on a large-scale data collection effort to establish clear criteria for the use of these new modes of transportation.

Objective – The “Pilot” operation ensured smooth and efficient system operation. Its goals included building relationships with companies to organize public space, respond to citizen requests, and enforce the Temporary Permit’s operating conditions.

Solutions – From February 6th to March 25th, 2019, Mexico City’s Ministry of Mobility (SEMOVI) conducted a “Pilot” of Sustainable Individual Transportation Systems (SiTIS). The city granted ten existing companies a six-month temporary concession. The city requested that the participating companies provide access to the platform, real-time location of all units, and weekly system data such as trips, routes, and time.

A specific supervision operation was also created, involving communication and cooperation with companies. The companies’ data was evaluated to understand better the situation and use of the SiTIS and tools for future regulation and infrastructure planning.

During the “Pilot” test, all licensees used an average of 1409 bicycles and 905 skateboards daily. The disparity between permitted and on-the-street units was due to some companies not operating with the total allowed (source).

After the “Pilot” test, the city of Mexico issued various rounds of concession. Currently, SEMOVI is studying past rounds’ data to incorporate parking sites based on demand, modality, and operation.

Funding –The project is implemented by Secretaría de Movilidad de la Ciudad de México (SEMOVI).

Innovation – Several indicators were collected during the Pilot phase, including the georeferenced location and time of start and end of each trip, the gender and age of the users, the duration and length of each trip, the total number of units available, accident details (date, time, type, and location), the number of complaints divided by type (safety, maintenance, communication, parking, etc.), and thefts.

Success factors: 1) SEMOVI convened meetings to engage with citizen groups, permitting firms, and city halls. Discussions with the operating companies were generally held together rather than individually, so that information could be provided openly and simultaneously. 2) The collaborative effort with the companies was critical to successfully respond to complaint reports concerning unauthorized sidewalk use, access to buildings, and insufficient parking. 3) On March 26th, the city published SiTIS’ operational guidelines, which included, among other things, the area of the city where the service could be offered, basic components required for bikes and scooters, parking restrictions. And most importantly, they were required to share operational data details with the Mobility Secretariat.

Significant outcomes:

• It was found that the bicycle without anchorage mostly follows a transportation pattern that is linked to work and school activities;
• E-scooter trips, on the other hand, follow a pattern that could also be linked to different types of trips, such as those for recreation or to cover intermediate business trips;

Synergies with local policies:

• Programa de Gobierno de la Ciudad de México 2019-2024 depicts the program’s six axes. It covers activities for sustainable and inclusive urban development under the sustainable city axis;
• Mexico City’s Climate Action Program for 2014-2020 is a policy planning instrument that combines, coordinates, and promotes activities to decrease climate change risks. Implementation of multimodal mobility schemes in strategic locations of the city is one of the suggested transport actions. Increasing cycling infrastructure;
• Sistemas de Transporte Individual Sustentable. Annual permits for bicycles, skateboards and other transport vehicles without anchorage.

Political alignment:

• National Development Plan 2019-2024. The paper strives to create social welfare through a viable economic model, a new political system, and social coexistence. One of the plan’s objectives is to promote renewable energy projects;
• The National Strategy covers 10-, 20-, and 40-year climate change goals. Reduces greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions by 30% from the base year;
• National Strategy to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants for climate change, air quality and human health. The policy lays forth tangible steps to minimize black carbon and methane emissions from major sources. Implementing the strategy will help Mexico meet its climate change goal of reducing black carbon emissions by 51% by 2030 and contributing significantly to its GHG reduction aim.

Marketability: N/A