E-scooters will once again be available for hire in Essex. Voi has been confirmed as the new operator of the trial in the county.
The roll-out will begin in Chelmsford on Wednesday 27 August. It will continue in Colchester and Braintree at dates to be confirmed soon.
Voi has extensive experience across the UK and Europe. Its offer includes advanced fleet management, responsive customer service and a strong emphasis on safety and compliance.
The e-scooter being deployed in Essex is the Voiager 5. This will have a wide range of safety features including triple-braking systems and highly visible LED beacons.
Voi is also committed to reducing pavement riding through improved real-time GPS tracking and geofencing to help manage speed and location.
A hybrid parking model will be rolled out across all locations. This includes mandatory parking zones, painted or virtual parking bays and incentivised parking zones offering ride discounts.
Area-specific parking plans have also been developed. These will include 75 bays in Braintree with a focus on outer areas and industrial zones and 150 bays in Chelmsford and Colchester in high pedestrian areas, growth zones and student or commuter routes.
Councillor Tom Cunningham, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport, said: “We’re hugely excited to welcome Voi to Essex as our new e-scooter trial operator.
“They have a proven track record across the UK and Europe, as well as a strong focus on safety, innovation and accessibility, making them a great fit for the trial in Essex.
“The return of e-scooters supports our commitment to increasing sustainable transport options for residents in Essex and we’re excited to see them return to Chelmsford, Colchester and Braintree over the coming weeks.”
Users should download the Voi app to register. ID and age verification will be required as an in-app feature. Riders must be 18 plus and hold a full or provisional driving licence.
Pricing includes discounts for low-income users, those Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEETs) and students.
The previous contract for e-scooters in Essex with Dott ended on 13 August. Since launching in 2020, the scheme has support over three million journeys in Braintree, Chelmsford and Colchester.