News / Transport
No more Vois in Bristol as contract ends
The familiar sight of coral-coloured Vois on the streets of Bristol is officially set to come to an end.
Since October 2020, our city’s trial has become one of the Swedish firm’s most popular rental e-scooter services in Europe with more than six million rides taken.
But, three years on, the city-wide scheme is now being taken over by a new company called TIER.
is needed now More than ever
TIER, which operates in more than 85 cities in ten countries, will introduce a new fleet of green e-scooters, under the brand name WESTscoot, from autumn.
As well as 4,000 e-scooters available for hire, there will be 1,500 pedal-only e-bikes (WESTbike) and 20 e-cargo bikes (WESTcargo).
WESTscoot, WESTbike and WESTcargo will soon be replacing Vois on our pavements and roads – image: WECA/ TIER
The contract will bring an estimated £9.7m to the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (WECA ) over four years, metro mayor Dan Norris said.
This money will be “reinvested in future West of England transport improvements”, including for 100 e-scooter parking racks around the city.
“WESTscoot must build on the successes of e-scooters in our West of England region which has been one of the most successful trials anywhere in Europe,” Norris said.
“But it must also address the legitimate concerns residents often voice over poor and irresponsible e-scooter parking.”
WECA announced in October 2022 that it would be looking for a company to take on the scheme for the future, with Voi confirming they would be bidding to continue their tender.
@bristol247 Is this real life? #voi #escooter #dream #bristol #bristol247 ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey
TIER vice president in northern Europe Fred Jones said: “The expansion of the service to include e-bikes and e-cargo bikes makes it easier for the people of West of England to choose to leave their car at home and pick the perfect vehicle for their journey, whether that is commuting, going to see friends or even doing the weekly shop.
“We are proud to have been selected as the operator for this UK-leading flagship service and look forward to the full launch this autumn.”
Main photo: Betty Woolerton
Read next:
- Voi cuts shareholders with ties to Russia
- New direct bus service between Bristol and Amsterdam
- First bus boss on the state of Bristol’s bus services
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