NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y. — A new mode of transportation will be available in North Tonawanda this weekend.
On Friday, Mayor Austin Tylec's office announced that Bird electric scooters will be available starting Saturday, Oct. 1.
“North Tonawanda is excited to be a part of this fun new way for residents and visitors to zip around town and explore our beautiful city. We hope everyone will enjoy these scooters and have a safe ride!” Mayor Austin Tylec said in a press release.
The shared scooters can be accessed using Bird's mobile app to rent for quick trips around the town for people age 18 and up.
Austin Marshburn, Head of City and University Partnerships at Bird, said in a release, “We applaud the City of North Tonawanda for their commitment to offering convenient, environmentally friendly and reliable transportation options to residents and visitors.”
North Tonawanda riders will also be able to partake in some benefits from Bird including discounted rides for low-income residents through the Community Pricing Program, as well as free rides for healthcare workers and emergency personnel.
Community members will also be able to provide feedback on poorly parked or damage scooters in their area with the Bird app.
Rides on Bird scooters start at $1 and are 49 cents per minute.
"So only North Tonawanda you'll be able to use them in," North Tonawanda Mayor Austin Tylec said Saturday. "They'll stop if you go on one of the bridges here right at the middle point, and it's just a way to keep it contained within our city. We're always looking towards new ways to find public transportation.
"It's not a subway. It's not a bus, but it doesn't mean we can't find alternatives. Bikes, bikeshares, that's already something people are used to. This is just a newer piece in Western New York that we'll eventually get used to."