News / Transport
E-scooter hire scheme to offer long-term rentals
The West of England is to become the first region in the UK to offer Voi e-scooters for long-term rental.
While the current hire scheme is limited to specific areas of Bristol and Bath, long-term rentals will allow people to rent a scooter and take it home across the whole West of England Combined Authority (WECA) area encompassing Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
A hire scooter still won’t be able to be ridden over the Clifton Suspension Bridge, however, because North Somerset is not yet part of WECA.
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From Wednesday, scooters will be able to be rented for one or six months or until the trial ends in late October.
It costs £35 to rent the scooter for one month, with lower rates available for a longer rental period.
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West of England mayor, Tim Bowles, said: “This will offer another practical, flexible and cost-effective alternative to the car for people who want to use the scooter to help us get our region moving.
“It builds on the popularity of our hop-on hop-off e-scooters which we’ve seen growing in Bath and Bristol and offers a socially distanced mode of transport for users outside of the city centres.”
Voi UK regional general manager, Richard Corbett, added: “Following the success of the e-scooter trial launched back in October, we are excited to bring our long-term rentals to the WECA region. This rental option offers residents a cost-effective way to use a scooter regularly within a wider area.
“Voi has supported the local community to move around safely and socially distanced, giving NHS staff and Key Emergency workers free rides during the lockdown. As we head towards a green recovery, e-scooters will continue to play a strategic part, replacing short car journeys and supporting the local sustainability goals.”
To be eligible for a long-term rental scooter, users need to be over 18 years old, have a valid or provisional driving licence and live in the WECA region.
Once the user has been approved, the vehicle delivery will be arranged by Voi. Alongside the scooter, the user will receive a helmet, a lock and two battery chargers.
Privately owned e-scooters remain illegal to use on roads, pavements, parks and any other public areas.
For more information, visit www.voiscooters.com/long-term-rentals.
Main photo: Martin Booth
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