City gives green light to e-scooter trial

The first e-scooters will be deployed at the University of York in a few weeks, offering residents a new, green mode of transport for getting around the city. Discussions are taking place as to whether York Hospital will also be able to host the scheme.

The Department for Transport-approved scheme, will initially see up to 100 e-scooters deployed, with more e-scooters and TIER e-bikes to come.

Renting an e-scooter in York will cost riders £1 to unlock the vehicle and 15p per minute travelled.

After a competitive tender process involving over 15 other applicants, City of York Council selected TIER as sole operator.

TIER, founded in 2018 and already in 70 cities across Europe, is rolling out swappable batteries across its fleet, removing the need to collect and transport the vehicles to a warehouse for charging.

Councillor Andy D’Agorne, executive member for transport  at City of York Council, said: “This will provide a fantastic opportunity to explore how e-scooters might add to the mix of sustainable transport options, whilst helping to improve air quality and expand our electrical vehicle charging offer.

“The trial will also form part of the city’s Covid-19 response in terms of, for example, providing sustainable alternatives to support capacity on public transport across the city.

“We’re excited to approve the trial in York and to be working alongside TIER.”

TIER UK general manager, Fred Jones, said: “York is a very special place, steeped in 2,000 years of history, and we are very proud to be supporting the city as it looks to the future of urban transport.

“We believe the e-scooter trials will bring major benefits to York residents, from cleaner air to reduced congestion, and crucially they can also help to get people moving again safely post-Covid.”