New provider announced for e-scooters in Cheltenham and Gloucester

A new provider has been announced by Gloucestershire County Council to continue the e-scooters trial in Cheltenham and Gloucester.

The county council held a competitive tender process after the Department for Transport (DfT) extended the current UK e-scooter trial.

Voi Technology Ltd has been appointed as the new provider after submitting a strong bid in all areas, including safety, inclusivity, accessibility and for already being carbon neutral in their operation. A contract for 10 months has been awarded, starting on 1 August 2023, with provision for up to two 12 month extensions.

E-scooters were initially brought in during the Covid pandemic in 2020 to support a ‘green’ restart of local travel and help with reduced public transport capacity. They are now seen as an efficient, clean and inexpensive form of transport that encourages active travel. Around one third of trips on e-scooters in the national trial are for travel to and from work.

The Gloucestershire e-scooter service now provides 310 scooters at 170 bays and this will continue under Voi, who hope to expand the service where possible. They are allowed to travel at a maximum speed of 12.5mph and there is also a mandatory 5mph limit in several ‘low speed’ areas, such as Cheltenham High Street and Gloucester Quays, to ensure safety for all users in shared spaces.

The service will operate in the same way as the current scheme, with Voi offering a fully accessible booking platform, including use of an app which you can use to register, hire, record trip data and give feedback on the experience.

Cllr David Gray, cabinet member for environment and planning, said: “I would like to congratulate Voi Technology for submitting such a strong bid and I look forward to working with them as they continue our e-scooter trial in the county. E-scooters are an important mode of sustainable travel, helping to reduce reliance on private vehicles and cut carbon emissions.”

Jack Samler, regional general manager for Voi UK, Ireland and France, said: “We are very much looking forward to bringing our e-scooters to Cheltenham and Gloucester. As the UK’s leading shared e-scooter company, we can bring our expertise at working with local communities to provide a transport service to Gloucestershire which is safe, easy-to-use, affordable, reliable and sustainable.”

To ride a Voi e-scooter, download the Voi app, upload a copy of your full or provisional driving licence, take a selfie and complete the online safety driving school. Use the app to find the nearest vehicle, scan a QR code to unlock and ride. Voi advises riders to wear helmets. All riders must be aged 18 or over.