Scooter rental trial revs up
SCHEME WILL BE EXTENDED AND EXPANDED
AN e-scooter rental scheme which has seen more than 130,000 rides taken so far has been extended with a new trial zone.
Lime scooters will be available to rent in Salford for another six months.
And, starting from next week, they can be used to travel to and from Salford Royal Hospital as the zone where e-scooter rides are permitted is expanded.
The e-scooters, which were first found at the University of Salford’s Peel Park and Frederick Road campuses, are now seen in Ordsall and MediaCityUK too.
The fourth phase of the trial, which will more than double the number of people living within the zone, will come into effect from Tuesday, October 19.
Lime’s UK and Ireland Cities Manager Conor Chaplin said the company is ‘delighted’ Salford council has approved the expansion of the scheme.
He said: “The scheme has proven incredibly popular and - working closely with Salford City Council, TfGM and the University of Salford - we’re proud to be providing Salford
residents and visitors with a clean, green and flexible new way to get around”.
The Department for Transport, which originally granted a 12-month trial period, invited local authorities to extend their trials to March 31, 2022.
Salford’s deputy city mayor Tracy Kelly approved the extension this week. Labour councillor Mike McCusker, who is the lead member for planning and sustainable development at Salford council, ‘fully supports’ the extension.
He said: “It’s incredibly popular.
It’s an easy way for people to get around carbon neutral. And it’s good fun too”.
‘Geofencing’ is used to control the speed of the e-scooters and can completely bring them to a stop should they leave the permitted areas.