E-scooters now available in York
A year-long trial has started in the city.
E-scooters are now available on the streets of York as part of a 12-month rental trial.
The Department for Transport-approved scheme will initially see 50 e-scooters deployed, with the potential to gradually increase to up to 700 after six months. Renting an e-scooter in York will cost riders £1 to unlock the vehicle and 15 pence per minute travelled.
People can pick up the e-scooters at the University of York campus and ride them along a number of cycle and road routes. Discussions are also taking place with York Hospital, which could see the scheme operating from there in the coming weeks.
Operated by European company TIER, the scheme will see the vehicles fitted with number plates and unique IDs to ensure safe tracking.
Councillor Andy D’Agorne, Executive Member for Transport 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. Together we will ensure there are clear and effective channels of communication which are critically important to get early warning of any issues that need to be addressed, to assess the impact and to learn all the lessons from the trial.”