Voi e-scooters reach 10 million journeys milestone in West of England

Credit: Voi Technology

Voi Technology has announced that its e-scooters have reached a significant milestone in the UK, with the total number of journeys in the West of England region reaching 10 million. The company had first started operating in Bristol and Bath in October 2020, as part of the UK government’s e-scooter trials, and has since expanded to cover almost the entire West of England region, including South Gloucestershire, covering around 60 square miles in total.

Voi has been working closely with the West of England Combined Authority and other unitary authorities in the region to enhance the e-scooter service, which has become a crucial addition to the area’s transport network. Almost 350,000 people have signed up to use Voi scooters in the region, and the service has become popular with various groups, including commuters and students who use them to move around between the university, their accommodation and part-time jobs.

Visitors to Bristol and Bath who want an affordable way of seeing the cities’ sights also use Voi scooters. A recent Voi survey revealed that the top five things that riders like best about using Voi e-scooters are that they make it easier to get around, they are an enjoyable mode of transport, and they’re sustainable, affordable and reliable.

Voi currently has over 4,000 e-scooters in the region, with some available for long-term hire, giving riders exclusive use of a scooter for a month at a time. The company uses data gathered from each ride to determine how many scooters are needed at which location and sends electric vans around the city to pick up and drop off e-scooters when necessary. Voi also works closely with the local council and partners on transport plans for special events.

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Furthermore, independent economic research commissioned by Voi found that the West of England e-scooter trial is likely to provide a boost of just under £20 million to the local economy over the course of the trial. The company has also provided work for ex-offenders, working with Key4Life, providing them with valuable skills to help them transform their lives.

Jack Samler, General Manager for Voi UK, Ireland and France, said: “Our shared e-scooters are having such a positive impact In Bristol – over 33% of riders said they were using scooters instead of cars, taxis and motorbikes, which is great for reducing congestion and pollution in the city – and they’re also boosting the region’s economy. We will continue to look at how we can constantly improve our service, whether it be by encouraging users to ride safely and considerately or looking to accommodate requests for more parking or scooters at key locations.”

Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said: “Being the first e-scooter trial to reach the significant milestone of 10 million rides shows just how popular and important e-scooters are as a sustainable form of transport for residents and visitors in Bristol. E-scooters will soon have given our local economy a welcome £20 million boost, with a third of riders using them to commute to work.”