Swedish e-scooter provider Voi Technology is to launch year-long trial schemes in Kettering and West Bromwich town centres this week.
Initially, there will be 50 scooters available to rent in Kettering from 4am to 11pm. In Sandwell, there will be 25 Voi scooters available to hire close to West Bromwich town centre with more set to be phased in over time, with a maximum of 50 e-scooters available for hire. The e-scooters will be available in West Bromwich from 6am to 8pm.
Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for sustainable transport, councillor Jackie Taylor, said: “We are looking forward to working with Voi and the West Midlands Combined Authority to bring the first e-scooters to West Bromwich town centre.
“This will be a temporary trial where residents can hire e-scooters to use around West Bromwich town centre. It is just one of the modes of sustainable transport the council are exploring to help reduce carbon emissions in Sandwell and offer a potential for fast, clean and inexpensive travel that can also help ease the burden on transport networks.”
E-scooters in both areas will cost £1 to unlock the scooter and then 20p per minute for usage. To ride a scooter, users need to be 18 years-old and over, are required to download the Voi app, and will have to present a valid driving license.
Riders will also have the option of 24-hour and 30-day subscriptions, allowing users to take an unlimited number of rides at fixed rates of £10 and £40 respectively. Discounts are also offered for students, those on low income and NHS and emergency workers.
With Covid-19 cases still prevalent, the e-scooters will be cleaned and disinfected every 24 hours to ensure that they cannot become a source of infection. In addition, they are fitted with copper tape that inactivates and minimises the transmission of coronavirus. Covid-19 advice and information is also available via the app and encourages users to use hand sanitiser and wear gloves.
Voi e-scooter speeds will be capped at 10mph and the company said it has been working with the relevant local authorities to create geofenced slow riding, no riding and mandatory parking areas, to ensure the safety of riders and other road users.
Jason Smithers, cabinet member for highways and place at Northamptonshire County Council, added: “Since the launch of the e-scooters, 116,000 rides have taken place in Northampton, with nearly 70% of rides carried out by repeat customers – an indication that uptake has been very successful.
“We are therefore thrilled that this new carbon-neutral, socially distanced mode of travel can now be introduced in Kettering town.”
