SFMTA is responsible for making rules regarding streets and sidewalks. It’s the same people who clean the streets and tell you where you can park. My understanding is they had an RFP process. Hardly arbitrary or confusing for a smart guy like you.
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The confusing part is why they choose winners instead of setting rules.
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It’s a pilot program. Happens all the time.
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The fact that the government chooses winners in a market “all the time” (if true) is the problem. Make rules, enforce rules. No reason for the pilot not to be available for everyone that abides by the rules.
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So the city only wants 1250 scooters on the streets during the pilot. All twelve bidders should get 104 each? Is that a better idea?
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No, the better idea is to allow competition. If, for instance, a minimum for a viable business is 300 scooters and we assume for a second that it's right to cap them, then you have the companies bid on prices, availability, other open and transparent criteria. The consumer wins.
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Municipalities really like working that way. Thinking of businesses as utilities. Leads to monopoly, too often, as with ISPs.
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You know that the answer is politics, and while I’ll support BIrd forever, perhaps the limits of the post Uber model of asking forgiveness after l-the-fact are testing patience.
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Any politician who isn’t pro-scooter is obv awful, but this SV model of invading cities and asking for forgiveness (vs permission) after the fact was bound to blow up. It already backfired well before BIrd. Lets hope lessons are learned on both sides.
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The ability to freely engage in commerce should be recognized as a human right.
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Peak San Fran self-importance
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