RALEIGH, N.C. – A new electric scooter company is coming to Raleigh, and it will be the only one allowed to operate in the city.

• Raleigh city leaders have approved an agreement with Gotcha to introduce 500 scooters later this summer.
• Bird and Lime first appeared in the city last year, but have chosen to discontinue operations July 1, citing costs and city regulations. 
• City leaders selected Gotcha after speaking with other communities—including Atlanta and Nashville –about their experiences partnering with the company.

Raleigh city leaders have approved an agreement with Gotcha to introduce 500 scooters later this summer. The South Carolina-based company will replace Bird and Lime.

Bird and Lime first appeared in the city last year, but have chosen to discontinue operations July 1, citing costs and city regulations. Lime will still operate on NC State University’s campus.

Five companies applied to operate in the city, but only Gotcha was recommended. Those five companies include Gotcha, Spin, Lyft, Bolt and VeoRide.

City leaders selected Gotcha after speaking with other communities—including Atlanta and Nashville –about their experiences partnering with the company.

Gotcha currently operates on several college campuses across the state, including UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC-Charlotte and UNC-Wilmington.

Gotcha will have their own staff pick up the scooters for charging and maintenance. Bird and Lime previously used individual contractors. Gotcha has asked the city to expand its hours of operations from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. in order to help employees retrieve scooters.

If the company meets safety, usage, and conduct measures, the city will consider.

Bird and Lime will continue operating in Raleigh until July 31.