Opinion: Why docking could be a gamechanger for the micromobility in cities
May 14, 2021
min. read
E-scooters have reshaped how commuters, tourists and residents navigate our cities, providing a fun, low-carbon mode of transport. But while the pandemic has seen an upsurge in ridership because scooters offer a socially distanced mode of travel - the fact that they are permitted has not solved the challenges posed by their deployment. Crowded sidewalks, vandalism, charging-related issues, you heard about it already…
We are happy to share insights about the unit economics of docked based scooter/bike sharing operations with the help of our friends from KNOT - innovative company providing docking stations for scooter services.
Docked e-scooters not only remove the obstruction that scooters cause when left on pavements, but also are far less lightly to be vandalised. Another advantage of stations is that operators can provide video and other guidance to counsel users on how to ride safely and helmets can be made available at the stations.
But what about docking infrastructure economics? More investment beforehand for a less operational expenses? Where we can situate the break-even? Find our numbers below!
Free-floating vs. dock-based economics
Docking stations reduce operational costs – scooters are locked and charged at the station – meaning there is no need to employ staff to collect scooters every night to swap batteries. The cost breakdown compared is impressive, operational expenses per scooter goes down from almost 6 € to 1 € per day.
On average it costs €0.03 to charge one docked scooter per day, versus €2-6 for free-floating scooters, when all other operational costs are factored in, and the average docking station’s lifespan is 5 years. Also, scooters will be always fully charged, which means you can guarantee your services all day long, even for scooters with low battery capacity.
Station based services also helps to reduce the vandalism impact, increasing the lifespan of the scooter and reducing the overall maintenance costs.
If we put it into the revenues prospective, the daily revenue per scooter (with 3 rides a day assumption) will be considerably higher, here below a rough calculation made on assumption of 3 rides per scooter a day for a fleet of 250 scooters:
Free-floating vs dock-based economics
Naturally, dock-based solutions require a substantial investment into infrastructure. For 250 scooter network cities would need to install around 60 docking stations with 8 slots each (if you opt for a 100% docked-based network), which represents around 250 000 € including scooter upgrade.
It means, to launch your system, you need to account from 35 to 60% more on the investment side, but you will save 30-70% on daily operations.
The bigger picture
Taking the time to look at the bigger picture can save cities a lot of trouble and money – in just seven to nine months the initial cost of a docking-based system starts to pay off when compared to a free-floating model. This investment is not just financially astute, it also creates infrastructure that can lead to a more secure transit ecosystem where e-scooters can be viewed not as nuisance or novelty but an integral part of the transit network.
But as every city is different, there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach. For example, in Strasbourg, KNOT allows users to park two metres around the actual station if it’s full (the City of Strasbourg is against free floating e-scooters and doesn't allow it anywhere else in the city).Having flexible options that suit users’ needs gives cities a real opportunity to make the e-scooter a mode of transport that can be truly embraced.
As more countries and cities across the world look to e-scooters as a solution those responsible for their rollout need to consider how they can impact the change in their mobility ecosystem. Docking offers a wise investment and the chance to cement this micromobility mode into the urban landscape.
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New feature: Task manager - Shifts & Operator performance tracking
👷📊 ATOM Task Manager now goes beyond task distribution with new Shifts and Operator Performance functionality. Track shift routes, distance, completed tasks, time per task and individual operator performance - giving fleet managers a much clearer picture of field operations and efficiency.
August 21, 2026
min. read
Managing a large shared mobility or rental fleet isn't only about knowing which tasks were completed. It's also about understanding how efficiently field teams are working. We've significantly expanded ATOM Mobility Task Manager with new Shifts and Performance functionality, giving fleet managers much better visibility into operator activity, workload, routes and performance.
👷 Shifts: See the full picture behind every shift
The new Shifts tab gives managers a centralized overview of all operator shifts, including:
- Shift duration and status
- Distance driven during the shift
- Number of tasks completed
- Average time spent per task
Managers can open any individual shift to see the complete operational picture. For every task, you can see the vehicle, task type, planned start and deadline, actual start and completion times, status and total task duration.
Each shift also includes a map showing the operator's complete movement during the shift and where individual tasks were performed. For shifts currently in progress, managers can also see the operator's current location.
This makes it much easier to understand the actual route, workload and decisions behind each shift — and identify opportunities to improve how field teams manage fleet maintenance and operations.
📊 Performance: Compare operator efficiency over time
The new Performance tab aggregates operational results for every operator over a selected period.
Managers can track:
- Tasks completed
- Distance covered
- Total time worked
- Average time per task
- Performance trends over time
Instead of reviewing hundreds of individual tasks, managers can quickly compare operators, identify top performers and spot areas where additional training or operational improvements may be needed.
📱 Improved Operator app workflow
To make performance data accurate and useful, we've also introduced a new shift and task workflow in the ATOM Operator app. Operators now start and end their shifts directly in the app, while individual task start and completion times are recorded automatically.
We've also added:
- Personal performance statistics with date filtering
- Live shift statistics showing time worked, completed tasks and open tasks
- Mandatory shift start before an operator can begin working on tasks
- Automatic return of unfinished tasks to the available task pool when a shift ends
- Multi-task selection, start and completion for faster task management
🚀 From task distribution to field operations intelligence
Together, these updates turn ATOM Task Manager from a task distribution tool into a much more complete field operations performance and optimization system. Operators get a clearer workflow and visibility into their own performance, while managers get the data they need to understand how their field operations actually work and where they can become more efficient.
The new functionality is available for ATOM Mobility's Vehicle sharing and Digital rental modules.
👉 Read more about our latest platform updates:
https://www.atommobility.com/atomupdates
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ATOM Connect returns: Exploring the next era of car rental in Riga (Oct 8, 2026)
A closed, curated event focused on practical conversations around digital rentals, keyless technology, automated verification, telematics, fleet utilization, and the future of car rental - without generic sales pitches or conference filler. Join operators, technology providers, and industry peers to exchange real-world experience and explore what’s next for car rental.
August 20, 2026
min. read
If you attended our last event, you already know the vibe: ATOM Connect isn’t a crowded trade show or a generic corporate conference.
There are no generic sales pitches, filler keynotes, or surface-level panels. Instead, ATOM Connect brings together a closed, highly curated community of operators, fleet managers, technology partners, and industry leaders to have honest conversations about where the market is moving—and how we’re navigating it together.
Following the positive feedback from our previous summit where leaders and representatives from Bolt, CityBee, ZEUS Mobility, Comodule,Anadue and Datafolio exchanged practical operational insights, we're bringing that same focused format to the car rental sector!
Mark your calendars: On October 8, 2026, ATOM Connect Rental arrives in Riga, Latvia.
🔍 Where Is the Car Rental Market Today and What’s Next?
The car rental industry is in a fascinating place right now. Established rental operators are testing new digital tools, while app-first fleets are adapting to real-world operational complexities. Rather than picking sides, ATOM Connect Rental 2026 is designed as a space to explore how the whole ecosystem is evolving.
Is the market ready for widespread keyless handovers? How are customer expectations around instant digital onboarding shifting? Where do traditional counter operations and app-based experiences meet in practice?
Throughout the day, we’ll dive into technical keynotes, operational workshops, and open panel discussions covering:
- The Reality of Modern Handovers: How fleets are testing paperless workflows, digital contracts, and remote vehicle access without sacrificing operational control or security.
- Telematics & Keyless Tech: A practical look into CAN-bus integrations, immobilizers, and remote diagnostics with technology partners like Invers.
- Digital Identity & Automated Verification: How AI-driven onboarding tools are helping operators streamline risk management, fraud prevention, and driver verification.
- Dynamic Fleet Yield & Subscription Models: Exploring how flexible rental terms, dynamic pricing, and multi-channel distribution help maximize vehicle utilization.
🔒 A Closed Community of Industry Peers (Why Spots Are Capped)
The true highlight of ATOM Connect is who is in the room. Every participant is an active operator, fleet manager, regional franchise representative, or key technology provider. Whether you run a regional rental fleet, manage operations for a franchise, operate a digital vehicle service, or build software/hardware for the industry, this is your chance to swap real stories and test ideas with peers facing the same daily decisions.
📍 Event Details at a Glance
Date: October 8, 2026 (Main Summit & Evening Networking Mixer)
Venue: Top Floor Glass Space, AC Hotel by Marriott Riga (Dzirnavu Street 33, Riga, Latvia)
Format: Tech keynotes, 1 interactive workshop, a grand panel discussion, and an evening networking mixer with drinks & catering.
🎟️ Request Your Invitation
Because space is limited to maintain a focused, high-trust atmosphere, registrations are manually reviewed to ensure a relevant audience for all participants. Join us in Riga to connect, explore where the industry is heading, and help shape what’s coming next.
Try out ATOM demo app
Use test credentials to log in - Phone number: +1 123123123, Code: 777777
Driver App demo credentials - Email: test@atom.com, Password: driver
