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Gotcha scooters return to campus, users encouraged to wear PPE

August 10, 2020
<p>Three Gotcha scooters photographed on Aug. 28, 2019.</p>

Three Gotcha scooters photographed on Aug. 28, 2019.

Photo by Matt Zubik | The State News

Gotcha scooters returned to campus Aug. 6 after Michigan State officials renewed a contract with Gotcha that will last until Dec. 31, according to a statement from the university.

The e-scooters were a feature of campus life last year and will be discussed by both parties Jan. 1, 2021, for a spring return, according to the licensing agreement.

Riders must be 18 years or older and are encouraged to wear helmets.

In terms of COVID-19 measures, Gotcha employees will be cleaning scooters more frequently using disinfectants approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), according to a statement from Gotcha.

Additionally, users are encouraged to wear personal protective equipment, or PPE, while riding. Gotcha employees are also instructed to use hand sanitizer when retrieving and placing scooters.

Gotcha's statement said that scooters will be parked near bus stops for use "if buses are full or if students aren’t comfortable riding in a confined space."

The company has also added additional "hubs," or parking areas, on campus at Brody Hall, as well as in Lots 63 and 91, according to the statement. Gotcha scooters must be parked in one of the designated hubs or valid moped parking spots, according to the MSU Police Department.

Gotcha scooters are $1.00 to unlock and cost $0.20 per minute ridden. However, Gotcha Director of Public Relations Caroline Passe said MSU students can enroll in a monthly pass.

"Students can also purchase a Monthly Spartan Mo-Pass subscription for $24.99, which includes one hour of ride time per unlock and $0.20 per minute after that while allowing riders to skip the usual unlock fees," Passe said.

Gotcha scooters will be available for use from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. everyday. Users are asked to ride in bike lanes when available and return scooters to designated parking areas to avoid additional fees.

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