Where I live they also have these very restricted service areas where you have to be in if you want to be able to park the scooter, otherwise the app simply won’t let you end the session and pay. Not sure how they even determine these areas, I wouldn’t be surprised if the competing scooter companies here have their own territory and keep people locked in for the mutual benefit of the companies and at the cost of anyone wanting to commute with these things.

And aside from all that, as you said they are extremely expensive even for a ride around the block, and also very dangerous if the roads are designed with only cars in mind.