Voi e-scooter trial to expand across city

More communities in Bristol will benefit from sustainable travel as Voi, the UK and Europe’s largest e-scooter operator, is set to expand its e-scooter service to the entire city.

Introduced over two phases, the scheme’s operating area expands to cover the northwest of the city today (7 June) and then to the south of Bristol in July. This will see the operating area increase by over a third to nearly 25 square miles in total.
Following approval by Bristol City Council’s Cabinet in May, the full operating area will be the same as the current long term rental service, and will include Avonmouth, Henbury and Southmead in the first phase, and Bishopsworth, Knowle and Brislington in the second phase, among others.

The expansion reflects the popularity of e-scooters as ridership has hit more than four million journeys, with riders travelling nearly seven million miles across Bristol and South Gloucestershire since being introduced in October 2020 - more than any other Voi city in the UK and Europe.

Today’s news will mean the service is now available to nearly half a million people and illustrates how e-scooters can work for the whole of the city.

With a larger operating area, more people will also be able to take advantage of the service and the various discounts available, including those on low incomes, NHS staff and students. For example, people from low-income groups are eligible to receive more than 80 per cent off their rides via Voi-4-All discounts, which means Bristolians could travel around for as little as £1.22 a day or for just £8.75 per month with Voi’s daily and monthly passes.

Councillor Don Alexander, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “Opening up e-scooters to the whole of Bristol will increase the range of transport options to all of our residents, providing more sustainable travel choices and helping us work towards cleaner air, and less congestion and pollution while unlocking barriers to inclusive economic growth.

“There are some elements of the trial that could be improved, and the recent extension of the trial to November and this geographical expansion to the entire city will give the opportunity to get more data and test possible solutions.”

Sam Pooke, Voi’s Senior Public Policy Manager for UK and Ireland, said: “We’re delighted Bristol City Council has voted to expand our operating area. Their decision is a vote of confidence in what Voi has continued to deliver since launching the scheme in 2020 - a reliable, safe and overwhelmingly popular service for all.

“With more e-scooters on the ground and more opportunities to take advantage of Voi as a sustainable alternative service for getting across the city, Bristol is always one ride closer to improving air quality, tackling congestion and most importantly, creating a better city for living.”