E-scooters return to town after 'unsolvable issue'

The switch to Voi comes after a problem with the previous Zipp Mobility hire scheme

A town's e-scooter scheme has been taken over by a new operator after problems with the previous vehicles.

Run by Zipp Mobility, the e-scooters in Slough were left unavailable to use in June, a month after the hire scheme began.

Slough Borough Council said an unsolvable issue had affected the entire Zipp fleet so new operator Voi was brought in.

The council said the e-scooters, which have all been replaced by Voi vehicles, returned to use on Tuesday.

Councillor Paul Kelly, lead member for housing, highways, planning and transport, said: "The issues with Zipp Mobility were outside of our control, which meant the e-scooter scheme was temporarily out of action.

"Now we have transitioned to Voi, we are confident residents can use the e-scooters for journeys across town to travel in a more sustainable way.

"For anyone using the e-scooters, we ask that they return them to any designated return points, are mindful of other residents and road users and do not ride e-scooters on the pavements."

The authority said the scheme would initially have 120 e-scooters.

James Bolton, Voi's UK general manager, said: "We are proud to be working with Slough council to give Slough's residents and commuters a safe, affordable, green choice to get around.

"We do, however, wish that we were launching here under different circumstances.

"Zipp's unfortunate exit is another sign that e-scooter legislation is desperately needed to give operators the certainty they need to continue investing in our towns and cities."