This year, the City of Columbus charted a new course for micromobility, launching a long-term partnership with Veo to build a more inclusive and financially resilient shared mobility system.
Five months in—how’s it going?
That’s the question WOSU Public Media reporter Amy Juravich explored in a recent interview with Veo CEO Candice Xie and Justin Goodwin, Administrator of the City’s Mobility & Parking Services Division.
Increasing Access with a Mixed Fleet
Since launching in the spring, Veo has logged 200,000 rides in Columbus. A key factor behind this early success: A more diverse fleet that’s expanding access to a broader range of riders.
“One of our objectives with the RFP was to introduce a more robust fleet of device types,” said Goodwin. “… and we’re heartened to see, as we suspected would be the case, a lot of public interest in the seated options.” Since the launch of the new program, over three-quarters of micromobility rides have been on seated vehicles.
Today, the Veo fleet in Columbus includes five different vehicle types, with a new cargo model on the way. This mixed fleet helps increase access for riders of diverse ages, abilities, and preferences.
From Legacy Bikeshare to Sustainable Partnership
Columbus’ new program replaces its financially strained docked bikeshare model with a financially sustainable, limited-operator system. By working closely with Veo, the City created a partnership built on shared goals like parking compliance and program sustainability.
The results are already paying off: the program is projected to generate over $100,000 annually to fund infrastructure that keeps sidewalks clear and supports system operations.
Tripling Ridership by 2030
Historically, Columbus has seen about one million micromobility rides per year. Veo has set a goal to triple that ridership over the next five years—from one million to three million rides annually, said Xie.
To get there, Veo is investing in two critical pillars: accessibility and affordability.
“The first step is to provide more vehicle types to the community so regardless of their gender, age, physical ability, or where they want to go, they can always find a Veo,” said Xie. This summer, Veo will introduce a new vehicle type to its Columbus fleet to expand access further: a throttle-assist cargo e-bike that riders can use for groceries, errands, and more.
Affordability is another key focus. With over 40% of Veo riders lacking access to a personal car, Veo’s Commuter Pass makes riding more affordable—dropping the cost of a trip to as low as $1 per ride.
Looking Ahead
Columbus’ micromobility future is full of promise. New vehicle types are expanding who can ride. Growing investments in parking infrastructure are keeping sidewalks clear and the system organized. And with a financially sustainable business model, Veo is setting long-term ridership goals to see just how far the program can go.
To hear more about what’s next, listen to the full interview with WOSU.