Columbus City Council tonight is expected to approve new regulations governing the operation of microtransit vehicles.
The legislation requires vehicle operators to get a license from the city and have their vehicles inspected once a year. It also limits them to using only side streets, alleys or secondary streets between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. weekdays and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and weekends. The local Vehicle for Hire Board would oversee the vehicles and is given the power to enact additional rules. Last May, the city launched a pilot program to license drivers and vehicles for a service called Hopper Carts, electric vehicles serving downtown and the Short North. The company worked with the city to develop the new regulations. Council also plans to approve rules governing commercial quadricycles.
