BY KEVIN VU
E-scooters threatened by potential ban Houston officials are proposing a new ordinance that would prohibit the use of electric scooters in Midtown, Downtown and East Downtown, citing a rise in accidents and fatalities in recent years, according to a July 24 Quality of Life Committee meeting. What you need to know The proposed ordinance expands on a previous ordinance that passed in 2021, which restricted e-scooter companies from renting out scooters in public rights of way and restricted e-scooter use on sidewalks. Maria Irshad, the deputy director of Administration and Regulatory Affairs, said the newly proposed ordinance comes from safety issues and complaints arising from scooter use. The ordinance will return to City Council for a vote at a future date.
Solid Waste to improve pickup with 31 new trucks Houston City Council approved a $12.5 million purchase for 31 new solid waste trucks during a July 30 City Council meeting, with nine of the trucks becoming operable in mid-August. What’s happening? According to an Aug. 18 news release, the new trucks will replace older vehicles that have been in service beyond their expected lifespans. Mayor John Whitmire said with these modern, more efficient trucks, there will be fewer breakdowns during routes and will help improve service completion and deliver more reliable collection. The new trucks came as complaints to 311—a nonemergency number for contacting the city for various services—started to rise, with numerous res- idents calling in complaints about missed garbage and recycling pickups. “We are investing in better equipment to deliver
Solid Waste complaints, July 7 - Aug. 1 Solid Waste Department complaints rose over these three weeks year- over-year from 2024 to 2025.
2024 2025
+81.17%
-6.15%
+62.05%
Missed recycling pickup
Missed garbage pickup
Missed heavy trash pickup
SOURCE: CITY OF HOUSTON/COMMUNITY IMPACT
better service,” Larius Hassen, director of Solid Waste Management, said in the release. “These new trucks are here, and this is just the beginning. They will help our drivers complete routes on time, work safely and provide residents with the dependable collection service.” The remainder of the new fleet will arrive by the end of October, city officials said.
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