In a bid to bring order to the bustling streets of Brussels, the regional government's recent call for e-scooter rental applications, which awarded licenses to operators Bolt and Dott, has encountered legal challenges from competitors Lime and Voi.
Despite the intention to establish a new equilibrium with only two operators and a maximum of 8,000 scooters, the path to regulatory clarity seems fraught with obstacles, L'Echo reports.
Following their exclusion from the selection process, Lime and Voi have refused to accept defeat, opting to challenge the decision in court. In a joint press release, the companies criticised the expedited nature of the application process, citing concerns about the lack of time for a comprehensive evaluation of the numerous submissions.
Lime, backed by major shareholder Uber, lamented the hurried proceedings, questioning the fairness of the assessment of 27 applications from 15 operators.
Voi echoed Lime's sentiments, emphasising the importance of adherence to public procurement regulations for the integrity of the tender process. However, this interpretation has raised eyebrows among industry peers, with another operator, Poppy, expressing its surprise at the appeals, asserting that the rules were clear and necessary for effective regulation in the face of mounting challenges posed by the proliferation of scooter operators.
A closer examination of the court's interim orders reveals that the legality of the waiver of existing licenses held by operators emerged as the crux of the dispute. Contrary to Lime's assertions, the court found no fault with the duration of the application process.
Instead, it deemed the waiver of current licenses as unlawful, citing regional ordinances governing license issuance. Consequently, Lime and Voi secured legal victories, allowing them to continue operations until their respective license expiry dates.
Tightening measures
In response to the court's ruling, the Brussels Minister for Mobility, Elke Van den Brandt, has not ruled out the possibility of appealing the decision. Nevertheless, the judgment represents a setback for the regional government's efforts to regulate scooter rentals and mitigate urban congestion.
With the prospect of a protracted legal battle looming, the envisioned cap of 8,000 scooters seems increasingly elusive, as the reinstatement of Lime and Voi could potentially raise the total to over 13,300 units.
Meanwhile, Dott has distanced itself from the legal dispute, emphasising its commitment to regulatory compliance and competitive tender processes. Despite the uncertainty, the regional government remains determined to tighten enforcement measures, particularly regarding parking violations, as part of its broader strategy to enhance urban mobility.
In conclusion, the Brussels scooter tender saga underscores the complexities of regulating shared micro-mobility services in densely populated urban environments. While legal challenges persist, stakeholders grapple with balancing innovation with the imperative of public safety and orderly urban development.
