Hunt for new e-scooter operator in Great Yarmouth begins

The previous operator pulled out

Scooters in Great Yarmouth
Author: Owen Sennitt, LDRSPublished 5th Mar 2024

A mission to bring e-scooters back to a coastal town in Norfolk is under way, after the previous firm pulled out due to frustrations at the government delaying bringing in new rules for the devices.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council is seeking a new operator following Ginger’s decision to stop the service in Great Yarmouth.

It follows the government’s decision to extend the trial until 2026 to further assess the impact of these scooters on public safety before fully legalising them.

As well as finding a new firm, it is also hoped that the scheme can be extended to other areas in the borough.

There's also a proposal to introduce e-bikes too.

It could mean people will be able to use the e-scooters and e-bikes in Caister-on-Sea, Gorleston, Belton and Hopton as well as Great Yarmouth.

"Really crucial"

At a cabinet meeting, Daniel Candon, cabinet member for economic development and growth, said it was “really crucial” for the scheme to continue as part of efforts towards environmental sustainability.

Deputy leader Graham Plant highlighted that e-scooters had proven to be a success, saving 90 tonnes of CO2 emissions through more than 160,000 journeys over 360,000 miles, and he worried if a new company was not found quickly it would harm the council’s “green agenda”.

Trevor Wainwright, leader of the opposition Labour group at the Conservative-controlled council described the extension of the trial as “ridiculous” and feared it could lead to an increase in illegal e-scooters being ridden in the town.

Ginger pulled out from the town at the start of February, claiming the extension of the trial meant there was no certainty for the future of the operator.

A message on its app read: “We have tried all we can to provide continuity, but the indefinite delay is making it very difficult for operators, especially British operators like Ginger.”

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