Voi launches long term scooter rental in West of England

Credit: Voi

People across western England will soon be able to rent an e-scooter and take it home after the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and Voi Technology announced the launch of their long-term rental scheme, as part of the region’s e-scooter trials.

The WECA region, is the first area in the UK to offer residents both the Voi hop-on-hop-off and the long-term rental options.

Voi’s long-term e-scooter rentals can be used by residents across the whole of Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire giving unlimited access to the micromobility transport within the entire geofenced WECA area. This scheme will, according to WECA, run alongside the hop-on, hop off short-term e-scooter scheme currently available for rides in defined parts of Bath and Bristol.

With long-term rentals, residents in the region can rent an e-scooter for personal use that they can keep at home for an extended period of time, which WECA hopes will reduce the need for short car journeys and consequently improving air quality and reducing congestion.

 “This is another West of England transport first thanks to the Combined Authority. We are the first area in the country to host Voi’s long-term e-scooter rental service. 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,” said Tim Bowles, West of England Mayor.

“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.

“Alongside metrobus, our transformational MetroWest rail network and plans for a regional mass transit, we’re making it easier to get to the jobs and training opportunities that will secure our recovery.”

Richard Corbett, Regional General Manager of UK, Ireland and Benelux for Voi, 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.”

Users will be able to rent a scooter for one or six months or until the trial ends in late October 2021 and use them within the pre-defined geofenced WECA region. It costs £35 to rent the scooter for one month, with lower rates available for a longer rental period. However, privately owned e-scooters remain illegal to use on roads, pavements, parks and any other areas.