A new operator will run the Bristol region’s e-scooter trial – and will be fined if parking problems continue. The West of England Combined Authority (Weca) announced today (Friday, June 30) that it has awarded a contract to a German company called Tier, replacing Voi which has operated the scheme since it began in 2020.
The 4,000 two-wheelers will be green, instead of the current “coral”, and branded “WESTscoot”, and the fleet will include 1,500 new pedal-only e-bicycles and 20 e-cargo bikes for local businesses. But metro mayor Dan 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 admitted that Tier also has ties to Vladimir Putin’s regime.
Mr Norris said the contract with Tier would bring in an estimated £9.7million to the Weca region – Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset – over four years, with the money ring-fenced for public transport. He said clauses in the contract would address parking concerns and that 100 new e-scooter parking racks would be provided.
