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NHS and emergency service staff can ride the new e-scooters for free during lockdown
NHS staff and emergency service staff can now hire electric scooters for free.
Voi, the company leading the e-scooter trial in Bristol, will offer anyone with an NHS identity, Blue Light Card or Defence Discount Service the chance to use the scooters free of charge during the second lockdown.
During the first lockdown, public transport services across were reduced following a fall in demand, which made it difficult for some key workers to get to and from work. The new Voi 4 Heroes initiative hopes to make what could be one of the worst winters in recent history a little easier for those on the front line.
is needed now More than ever
“The news of a second lockdown across England will be distressing for many,” says co-founder and CEO of Voi, Fredrik Hjelm.
“At Voi, we want to ensure that key workers can get around safely, without having to use public transport or be hit by cancelled services. This is why we’re offering free passes to NHS and Emergency Service Workers during this lockdown period.
“When facing a stressful day at work, the last thing you want to be worrying about is how to get home, and we hope that Voi can make things just that little bit easier for workers on the front line.”
NHS and emergency service staff can ride for free during the lockdown
The e-scooters are disinfected daily and the handlebars of each scooter feature copper tape which minimises coronavirus on contact.
For non-NHS and emergency service staff, the e-scooters cost £1 to unlock via the Voi app and then are charged at 20p per minute to ride.
The trial is being led by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) in both Bristol and Bath.
In Bristol, the area where the scooters can be hired stretches from Malago Road in the south, encompassing Hotwells and Clifton Village in the west, heading up Whiteladies Road as far as Cotham Hill, up Cheltenham Road as far as the arches, towards much of St Paul’s, with Temple Way the scheme’s eastern border and Temple Meads in the south-east corner.
A hire trial launched in late October 2020
To apply for a Voi 4 Heroes pass, users need to upload a valid NHS identity, Blue Light card or a Defense Discount Service through the Voi website.
The ID card must be clear and legible and include the full face of the document. On receipt of the proof, Voi will send a confirmation email allowing the rider to claim free rides in the Voi app, any rides taken before are not eligible for discount.
All photos: Martin Booth
Read more: E-scooter hire trials begin in Bristol
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