Scooters to light up the pavements
New transport option makes it easy for tourists and locals
GETTING around the city will never be the same again, as Townsville welcomes its first rollout of electric scooters.
The initial rollout, which will include 250 orange Neuron Mobility e-scooters, will see the machines deployed across the Townsville CBD and The Strand. The introduction of the scooters is also expected to create 25 local jobs.
Townsville City Council initially voted in favour of establishing a commercial permit system for e-scooter companies in May and deputy mayor Mark Molachino said the new transport would help drive the economy.
“I am sure locals and tourists alike will embrace this new way to get around,” he said.
GETTING around the city will never be the same again, as the city welcomes its first rollout of electric scooters this weekend.
The 250 bright orange Neuron Mobility e-scooters will hit Townsville streets tomorrow in a city first, and it’s hoped the scooters will be a congestion buster around the CBD.
The initial phase will see the wheels deployed across the CBD and The Strand, with the hope the scooters will get people exploring the city.
Townsville will become just the second Queensland city, after Brisbane, to take on the Neuron scooters.
The new business is also expected to create 25 local jobs.
With a dark history of injuries and even death associated with some e-scooter brands in other cities, Neuron says it has designed a safer scooter that is bigger, has larger wheels and wider footplates.
Townsville City Council voted in favour of establishing a commercial permit system for e-scooter companies in May.
Deputy Mayor Mark Molachino said the scooters would help drive the economy in the CBD and at The Strand.
“I am sure that locals and tourists alike will embrace this new way to get around our city,” Cr Molachino said.
“E-scooters support council’s goal of reducing emissions and congestion in the city and they also provide an inexpensive and convenient transport option.
“We’re anticipating they will encourage more people to get out and support small businesses including cafes and restaurants, providing a boost for our local economy.
“E-scooters are really popular in other cities like Brisbane and they’re a great way for locals and visitors to get out and about to enjoy our CBD.”
Neuron Mobility chief executive Zachary Wang said e-scooters were perfect for Townsville. “E-scooters are a great way for locals as well as tourists to travel in a safe, convenient and fun way and elsewhere in Australia they are helping cities bounce back from the pandemic,” he said.
The scooters will include a helmet lock, which secures the helmet to the scooter and releases it after the booking.
Voice guidance will be available, riders will be able to share their location and use a 000 button in an emergency. The scooters are equipped with Geofencing technology and will control where escooters are ridden, parked and how fast the scooters can travel in certain areas.