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Richmond’s New Equity Zone Program offers 50% off scooter rides for eligible residents

Posted March 12, 2025

 

~The enhanced partnership with Bird and Spin empowers subscribers in identified equity zones with affordable, ecofriendly transportation options ~

RICHMOND, Va. – The Office of Equitable Transit and Mobility (OETM), a division within the Department of Public Works, recently launched an Equity Zone Program designed to provide reduced transportation fees for residents living in identified neighborhoods. Through an expanded partnership with the city’s micromobility vendor Bird and subsidiary company, Spin, the program aims to increase accessibility and reduce transportation barriers in underserved neighborhoods.

The current list of equity zone neighborhoods include:

  • Fairfield Court
  • Gilpin Court
  • Hillside Court
  • Mosby Court
  • Whitcomb Court

Highlights of the new program include:

  • Defined equity zones/neighborhoods
    • The program allows riders who live in one of the zones (and who start their trip within the zone) to receive a 50% discount on all scooter rides (regardless of their registration status)
  • Eligible riders (from one of the zones) who register for the program receive an added benefit that provides the same 50% discount for all rides - no matter where they access the scooter in the city, meaning they aren’t limited to starting their scooter trip within the equity zone.

Note: eligible program recipients are residents in one of the zones. Riders who access scooters in the equity zones will automatically receive an email from Bird and Spin with information on how to register for the program. The Equity Zone Program is offered by Bird as the Community Pricing Program and Spin at the Access Program. Residents can register for the program by visiting the individual apps for Bird and Spin.

For more information on this program or OETM, please go to: rva.gov/public-works/ e-scooter-program or email AskPublicWorks@rva.gov.  

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The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 195 currently accredited public works agencies in the United States. DPW’s portfolio comprises a wide array of services to include leaf collection; street, sidewalk and alley maintenance; trash collection; recycling; grass cutting; graffiti removal; parking enforcement; urban forestry; street signs; traffic signals and pavement markings and civil engineering. In addition, DPW maintains upkeep on most city buildings; issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages the RVA Bike Share program and maintains the fleet of city vehicles. DPW’s operating budget comes from the general fund of the City of Richmond.  For more information about DPW services, click here or call 3-1-1

The Office of Equitable Transit and Mobility (OETM) is committed to expanding transportation equity and access throughout the city, including through shared mobility such as e-scooters.