Micromobility operator Voi is supporting the Connecting Europe Express project by offering free e-scooter rides to the train’s passengers in participating Voi cities.
The train will depart Lisbon on 02 September and stop in over 20 Voi cities as it makes a 20,000km journey to Paris, where it will terminate on 07 October in celebration of the European Year of Rail.
According to the e-scooter operator, train travel is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to travel, accounting for only 0.4% of all European transport-related greenhouse gas emissions, compared to 13.2% for aviation and 71.8% for road travel.
The sustainability benefits of rail travel can be extended further when paired with sustainable first and last mile transport options in cities, such as e-scooters and e-bikes, added Voi.
Jasmin Rimmele, program manager public transport of Voi, said: “Travelling by train is one of the best and environmentally-friendly ways to explore Europe from the iconic Trans-Siberian Express to the thousands of people that travel via inter-rail passes every year.
“Whether it’s travelling for a business meeting or a holiday, we want to ensure that everyone can get the best from their trip and have a minimal carbon impact on the place they’re visiting. By supporting the Connecting Europe Express, we’re enabling passengers to embrace micro-mobility to complement their train journey and enjoy their trip in a sustainable way.”
Voi’s recent pilot integration with Suttgart’s rail operator S-Bahn Stuttgart saw at least a 35% increase in rail tickets purchased by e-scooter users ending rides at the Bad Cannstatt station, compared to the rest of the city.
Furthermore, the number of last-mile Voi trips also increased by more than 250% at the station after parking racks were installed.
In Switzerland, Voi scooters are bundled with the public transport subscription yumuv, with scooters found at mobility hubs in Zurich and Basel. Meanwhile, in Copenhagen, Voi is working with the Danish State Railways and large Danish companies to nudge employees into leaving the car at home and utilise shared e-scooters and rail instead.
The micromobility company estimates Voi riders in Europe have replaced over eight million car trips and saved over 1,680 tonnes of harmful carbon dioxide emissions (Co2e) because of shared mobility.
