E-scooter scheme passes to be credited when trial resumes
MISUSE SAW PROJECT HALTED AFTER FIVE DAYS
COVENTRY’S e-scooter trial has been halted after just five days, amid concerns of misuse of the new motors.
It comes as a blow for those who piloted the scheme - and for those who purchased monthly season tickets.
When the scheme was launched, riders were given three options - turn-up and go, weekly, and monthly.
But now, the scheme has been halted, and as a result, the weekly and monthly passes have too.
Telegraph readers asked whether they will get a refund on passes - and Coventry City Council has since confirmed that once the scheme resumes, the passes will too.
They went on to say that any lost days would be added back onto their credit, so no one will miss out on what they’ve paid for.
However, it is not currently known when the e-scooter scheme might resume.
When asked about the passes, a spokesperson for Coventry City Council, said: “Those who have bought monthly passes will get the days added to their account once we resume.”
Coventry City Council pulled the plug on Monday (September 14) saying concerns had been raised that scooters were being used on pavements - five days into a 12-month trial.
Users also reportedly took the scooters into pedestrianised areas of the city centre.
A spokesman for Coventry City Council said: “The trial has been introduced to identify the safest way that e-scooters can be used going forward so it’s right to pause the scheme if concerns are being raised.
“The initial take-up has been encouraging but we need to ensure that the safety of all people using the city centre is protected and that the e-scooters are used in the proper way, hence our decision to pause the pilot until systems are improved.”
The city council said around 5,000 rides had been access since the scheme launched last week. The scooters were available to unlock for £1 and cost 20p per minute to ride.
A spokesperson for Voi, the firm behind the e-scooters, said: “While we regret the pause to our service, we reiterate our desire and willingness to work with all local stakeholders to deliver a safe and successful trial that meets the council’s objectives and confirms micromobility as a sustainable, safe and attractive mode for Coventry’s citizens.
“We look forward to resuming the service with enhanced measures in place to address the early observations from the trial”.
The trial is also being run in other parts of the country, including Birmingham.