News / Voi
New e-scooter provider warned of strict fines over parking issues
The new e-scooter provider in Bristol has been warned that it will receive fines if parking problems continue.
The latest contract between the West of England Combined Authority and Berlin-based company, TIER, means that the combined authority will be able to fine the operator, unlike under the previous contact with Voi, where the operator issued fines to individual users.
Metro mayor Dan Norris said clauses in the contract would address parking concerns and that 100 new e-scooter parking racks would be provided.
is needed now More than ever
The Labour mayor said: “WESTscoot must build on the successes of e-scooters in our West of England region which has been one of the most successful trials anywhere in Europe.
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“But it must also address the legitimate concerns residents often voice over poor and irresponsible e-scooter parking.
He said stipulations written into the contract included “parking performance monitored on a monthly basis, with penalties on the operator if high standards aren’t met”.
They also include stricter requirements to keep vehicles parked tidily within designated bays and agreed numbers.
The move hopes to shift responsibility onto the operator, rather than the user.
Norris, who previously threatened to strip Swedish firm Voi’s right to run the pilot project if it did not sever links to Moscow among its shareholders, has also admitted that Tier also has ties to Vladimir Putin’s regime.
The metro mayor said he had written to the prime minister and the secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy to urge the government to look into the regulations on global contracts.
Norris said the contract with TIER would bring in an estimated £9.7m to the WECA region – Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset – over four years, with the money ring-fenced for public transport.
Voi UK, Ireland and France general manager Jack Samler said: “We have worked tremendously hard over the last three years to make the West of England e-scooter trial the most successful in the country – and one of the largest in Europe.
“We are very proud of what we’ve achieved in Bristol and Bath and the legacy we’ve built.
“It is disappointing to be leaving these cities.”
The scheme will be rolled out in autumn.
Main photo: Mia Vines Booth
Read next:
- No more Vois in Bristol as contract ends
- Woman riding e-scooter in ‘life-threatening’ condition after collision with car
- ‘Unprecedented’ vandalism blamed for stop of Big Issue e-bike scheme
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