Following the end of the current contract with Voi, the e-scooter trial in Birmingham will be paused on Wednesday, 1 March. 

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) launched an open tender for the new contract last summer and the procurement process is yet to conclude following bids from a number of interested providers. The means that there will inevitably be a break in the provision of a public rental e-scooter scheme.

As part of this contract process, TfWM, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), and Birmingham City Council have taken the opportunity to look at fresh approaches, learn from current experience and continue to carefully consider the safety of the travelling public.

TfWM had hoped there would be a seamless transition to a new contract but owing to delays procuring the contract while awaiting clarity over national e-scooter legislation, that has not been possible.

E-scooters offer a sustainable and affordable way to make shorter journeys for regular users and in Birmingham there were an average 30,000 rides a week taken, using a fleet of approximately 2,000 e-scooters. 

The e-scooter operation has provided significant transport and environmental benefits to the region with a minimum of 25% of the 2.2 million trips taken estimated to have used a scooter instead of a car – easing traffic congestion and reducing pollution.