Decision details

The report of the Cabinet Member for Transport and District Regeneration providing an update on the operation of the e-scooter trial and the recommended approach to extending the trial following the Department for Transport's confirmation that e-scooter trials can be extended to May 2024.

(i)  To approve the renewal of the Vehicle Special Order (VSO) for Southampton’s e-scooter trial until 31 May 2024, in accordance with the Department for Transport's proposed new end date.

(ii)  To approve the extension of Voi’s contract for an initial 12 months to 30 November 2023 to enable Voi to continue operating the trial beyond the current end date of 30 November 2022.

(iii)  To delegate authority to the Executive Director for Growth, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport and District Regeneration and Section 151 officer to implement and amend the details of the e-scooter trial within the parameters established by the VSO and the DfT, and to approve a further extension to Voi’s contract from 1 December 2023 to 31 May 2024 following a performance review.

To facilitate the ongoing collection of data and information that will inform

national legislation for e-scooters and support the ongoing independent data

validation.

The trial has demonstrated there is a demand for a rental e-scooter service in

Southampton with over 61,000 users having collectively made over 802,000

trips.

To understand how new innovations from the Future Transport Zone programme will interact with the e-scooter service, for example the Mobility-as-a-Service app, and to continue to refine the service to improve uptake,

safety and efficiency.

To allow flexibility in response to new innovations and service models

developed by SCC, Solent Transport, the DfT or Voi. For example, a review of

operating hours.

The contract will be extended extension with Voi for 12 months to the end of

November 2023. The contract with Voi can only be extended for periods of up

to one year. This will also allow an opportunity to review Voi’s performance

before a further extension to the end of May 2024. This provides the Council

with greater flexibility to vary the arrangement as may be required based on

its ongoing evaluation of the trial.

End the trial in November 2022. This was rejected as it would not facilitate

ongoing data collection. It would also slow the progress made in micromobility

in Southampton and remove opportunities to improve and refine the service.