The last time we heard from the Milwaukee Department of Public Works on the issue of those darn electric scooters, the city had netted nearly $500,000 from the things. Now, at the beginning of 2025, the DPW has an approximate total for 2024: $559,000.

The dollar figure was communicated to the city’s Public Works Committee on Wednesday. Department of Public Works Senior Transportation Planner Zac Roder explained that the hefty sum was thanks to the approximately 971,000 total trips on Lime and Spin scooters that were recorded in 2024. That was up 38% from 2023, Roder said, though that year’s operating season was slightly different.

“That’s real money!” said committee chair Alderman Bob Bauman.

And, despite the winter temperatures, those darn scooters are still out there. Roder said there are still 550 devices scooting around the city, and that there had been approximately 13,000 recorded rides in January.

“Last January, we did not have any scooters in the streets,” Roder explained. “This is the first year where we’re continuing the operation throughout the entire winter.”

A full year-end report will be made available online on Friday, Roder said.

After three years of pilot studies, Milwaukee’s permanent scooter program began on May 17, 2024. The program allows for two operators to deploy up to 1,000 scooters each—more if they meet certain requirements.

Under the program, operators pay the city $100 for each scooter deployed, and $.25 for each trip recorded. That revenue goes into the city’s transportation fund and is used for things like “scooter-related activities” and “protected bikeways,” Roder explained last September.

Also, WHEN WILL IT ACTUALLY SNOW SO WE HAVE THE SNOW PILE?

2019

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Matt Wild weighs between 140 and 145 pounds. He lives on Milwaukee's east side.