York: Electric scooter operator pulls out of city

TIER has operated the rental scheme in York since 2020

The operator of e-scooters and bikes in York has opted not to extend its trial in the city, the council has said.

The scheme was part of the Department for Transport's micro-mobility trial and has been running in the city since 2020.

A council spokesperson said TIER's contract would end on 31 May and it was in discussions with other operators.

The firm said it had taken the decision to focus resources on locations with "stronger long-term growth potential".

Jessica Murphy, from TIER, said: "It is with a heavy heart that we have chosen not to continue operating in York beyond the end of our existing contract.

"In light of both our path to profitability and the way our business has developed in the UK, we have had to take the difficult decision to focus our resources in other locations with stronger long-term growth potential."

The trial in York monitored and collected information about the use of hired e-scooters and e-bikes across the city in order to inform the creation of national guidelines.

Since it began, almost 60,000 users in York have clocked up over 820,000 miles (1.3 million km) over more than 500,000 journeys.

Ms Murphy said the trial had shown that "micro-mobility" could be implemented "safely and conscientiously in an important and historic city" and that there was demand for alternative modes of transport.

Pete Kilbane, executive member for economy and transport at the council, said the authority had had an "excellent relationship" with TIER and were "disappointed" they had opted to withdraw.

"Participating in the Department for Transport trial enabled York to gain valuable insight into the use of e-scooters and e-bikes, and how we might look to make these permanent sustainable transport options in future," he said.

"The temporary government legislation for the trials are still in place, so we are in discussion with the Department for Transport about the options we have for a new operator to run an e-scooter trials in York."

E-scooters can only be used as part of council-run rental schemes and riders must hold at least a provisional driving licence and be insured.

It remains illegal to use privately owned e-scooters on roads.