E-scooters make their return to San Marcos

By Jolee Gavito

News Reporter

SAN MARCOS– For the first time in over a year, electric scooters have returned to the San Marcos area, as a unanimous vote from the San Marcos City Council permitted micromobility company Lime to launch 150 scooters within city limits.

In partnership with Texas State University and the city, Lime scooters will cover downtown San Marcos, campus and the eastern side of Interstate 35.

Andrew Akinyemi, a business management sophomore, said he is a frequent user of Lime scooters.

“[Lime scooters] are ample, because I feel like there are a lot of steps and a lot of classes are very far away,” Akinyemi said. “If it’s late at night, and no buses are no longer going, I can just ride home.”

In a press release from the city council, Transit Manager Amy Finn expressed the city’s excitement for the return of electric scooter rentals.

“The scooters will offer a convenient transportation option while helping reduce traffic and improving air quality,” Finn said.

According to the City of San Marcos website, scooters must be parked in designated parking zones for the ride to end officially. Riders cannot venture or park on agricultural land, near the river and within 10 feet of accessibility ramps.

Neutron Holdings Inc., the corporate name for Lime, signed a renewable, one-year license agreement with San Marcos, which allows the use of their intellectual property without forfeiting total ownership.

The city will receive a 10-cent stake in revenue on a per-trip basis, as stated in the San Marcos City Council agenda.

However, both the city and university are no strangers to electric scooter rentals. The mobility company, Spin, was introduced to San Marcos in 2021, yet ceased operations in June 2025 due to financial restraints and a terminated agreement.

Spin users were charged $1 to unlock the scooter, with a rate of $0.29 per minute.

Lime scooters, however, will charge $1 for users to unlock, with a rate increase of $0.40 per minute in comparison.

Additionally, there are discounts available through Lime Access.

Individuals enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Social Security benefits, subsidized housing, free and reduced lunches, SNAP for Women, Infants, and Children, as well as recipients of the Pell Grant are all eligible for riding discounts, which include a 50% reduction in both the $1 unlocking fee and the $0.40 per minute rate.

People under the age of 18 are not allowed to rent or ride a scooter, even if they are eligible for Lime Access discounts.

For more information about Lime, visit their website: https://www.li.me/vehicles/scooter