A new e-scooter trial has launched today in Liverpool, implemented by Swedish startup Voi – welcomed by Liverpool Metro Mayor, Steve Rotherham.
It will be a year-long pilot scheme, initially involving about 50 carbon-neutral scooters, introduced as a joint initiative from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Liverpool City Council. As the trial goes on, more e-scooters will follow.
From today (October 6th) Liverpool residents will be able to hire a Voi scooter using an app from various key sites in the city centre. They will cost £1 to unlock, plus 20p per minute, with unlimited daily and monthly passes also available. Users will require a provisional driving license or better to use the electric vehicle.
The vehicles can travel at a maximum speed of 10mph – electronically restricted to about 5mph in areas with high footfall. Supported by the Department for Transport, the Liverpool trial is one of more than a dozen taking place across the UK, including in the West Midlands and Northamptonshire.
And to align with COVID-19 restrictions, Voi scooters will only be available between 6am and 10pm, and all vehicles will be disinfected daily, with handlebars wrapped in Shieldex Copper-Tape.
Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “I want our area’s transport network to be as cheap, quick and green as possible. E-scooters could offer residents and tourists alike a quick and convenient way to get around the city centre, as happens in many European cities.
“We will be working closely with the Council and Police to monitor the scheme and make sure that the scooters are being used safely and properly.
”If the trial goes well, then we can look forward to seeing these scooters play a role in my plans for a London-style transport system.”
Councillor Sharon Connor, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, added: “We want everyone to be able to travel in and around Liverpool as cleanly as possible – be it by walking or cycling – and we’re investing millions of pounds to help people do just that. The benefits to their physical and mental health, as well as our environment and air quality, are plain to see.
“We have also made a commitment for Liverpool to be carbon neutral by 2030. This is a huge undertaking and this e-scooter trial is a welcome experiment to be part of a wider movement strategy to help deliver that outcome. I look forward to seeing the results.”
Fredrik Hjelm, Co-founder and CEO of Voi, said: “We are delighted to announce that we will soon be offering the Voi e-scooter service in Liverpool, bringing our total number of UK regions to 11 in just two months. We urgently need new transport options, particularly as city residents want to get around with increased social distancing. Today’s transport innovations are all about helping people to get out of their cars and making greener choices, as well as staying safe.”
