E-scooters to return to San Francisco, but not Lime

SAN FRANCISCO (KTVU) - Scooters will soon be back, buzzing around San Francisco streets. San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency gave permits to two companies, Scoot and Skip to begin operations on Monday. 

One company that didn't get a permit is Lime.

Lime had previously operated scooters in San Francisco, to the dismay of many, without seeking a permit. They said the city's permitting process is unfair. Lime went to court on Friday to seek a restraining order. However, the judge did not allow it. 

San Francisco city attorney's office said Lime's permit application fell short of its competitors. 

"The SFMTA's permit program has been both fair and transparent. Lime just didn't like the outcome," John Coté, communications director for City Attorney Dennis Herrera's office wrote in a statement. 

In a statement of their own, Lime considered Friday's hearing a "victory for the people of San Francisco and Lime." 

"In a rare move, the Judge ordered five key SFMTA officials and staff -- including Director of Transportation Ed Reiskin himself-- to testify next week. 

SFMTA's Powered Scooter Share Permit and Pilot Program began in April 2018, with Scoot and Skip emerging in August the two companies that were awarded permits based on the strength of their proposals. Lime has called the permit process biased.