Increased fines for child driving in Tomsk's kick-scooter services
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Tomsk Raises Fines for Minors Operating Electric Scooters by Three Times
(Updated from an earlier report by "Izvestia")
Whoosh and MTS Yurent, major electric scooter rental services in Tomsk, have tripled fines for minors operating these vehicles. The new fine now stands at 30 thousand rubles, reps from these companies confirmed to RIA Tomsk.
In large Russian cities like Moscow, the fine remains at 100 thousand rubles. These companies aim to implement mandatory user verification through the "Gosuslugi" portal in the near future, blocking minors aged between 16-18.
"The fine for entrusting an electric scooter to a minor in Tomsk, just like everywhere else, has risen threefold and now amounts to 30 thousand rubles," a MTS Yurent representative shared with RIA Tomsk.
She added that such instances make up approximately 5% of total rides. This alarming fact indicates that children are more often involved in incidents and accidents involving electric scooters.
Similarly, a rep from Whoosh also confirmed the increase in fine to 30 thousand rubles for underage driving. While PDD law allows 14-year-olds to manage electric scooters, the service provider takes a more cautious approach, authorizing operation from age 16.
"We believe the age factor, when it comes to managing an electric scooter, is a significant consideration. Unfortunately, there are instances when parents transfer their account to minors or when youngsters ignore safety rules. Incidents of this kind account for roughly 2% of rides, yet we observe that despite warnings, such incidents occur. As a result, we've decided that the responsibility for this violation should be more severe," the Whoosh rep explained.
Control Measures
To control minors, Whoosh has implemented banking ID authorization. This allows verification of the account holder's age.
"When a teenager operates a scooter with a parent's account, we impose fines in cases of rule violations, such as photographic evidence. Our local team can spot these instances, plus we have a special mobility association bot to which you can send violation photos."
According to the MTS Yurent rep, lawbreakers on city streets are tracked using city cameras, joint patrols with law enforcement, and personal safety consultants. These consultants capture violators using photo and video equipment and submit evidence to support the application of necessary penalties.
"To report a lawbreaker (to MTS Yurent), you can use our Telegram bot: @pdd_urent_bot. To lodge a complaint, you need to take a photo of the violator (the scooter number should be visible), and also specify the time and location of the incident. The MTS Yurent support team will promptly handle your complaint and apply penalties if needed."
It was reported earlier that Whoosh's first electric scooter rental service in Tomsk began in April 2021. In 2024, another federal brand, MTS Yurent, joined the fray. During the 2024 season, Tomsk residents had access to approximately 2 thousand scooters from Whoosh and 1.5 thousand from MTS Yurent. For 2025, MTS Yurent had planned to increase their electric scooter fleet to 2 thousand.
Enrichment Data Added (not exceeding 15%):
While the specifics of the situation in Tomsk aren't detailed, it's common for cities worldwide to implement electric scooter usage regulations involving age limits, speed restrictions, and designated usage areas. Safety initiatives may include mandatory helmet use, safety features, and educational programs on safe riding practices.
Regulatory enforcement might entail fines for violations, such as minors using electric scooters without adult supervision or not following safety guidelines. Technology, like GPS tracking and software limitations, can also help enforce safety rules.
In the future, cities and companies may focus on enhancing safety through more educational programs, stricter enforcement, and collaborations with local organizations to foster a culture of safety around electric scooter use.
- The 'PDD_urent_bot' Telegram bot can be used by Tomsk residents to report violations of electric scooter usage rules, such as the operation of scooters by minors or failure to follow safety guidelines.
- In Tomsk, electric scooter rental services like Whoosh and MTS Yurent have increased fines for minors operating their vehicles to 30 thousand rubles, following the pattern of triple fines that has been implemented in other Russian cities.
- Whoosh has implemented banking ID authorization to verify the age of the account holder and control the use of electric scooters by minors.
- The transportation industry, including electric scooter rental services, is part of the broader finance and technology sectors, with ongoing efforts to ensure safety and compliance with regulations in the context of rapid urbanization and the proliferation of shared mobility solutions.
