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Shared micromobility operator Beryl has launched a new e-scooter hire scheme in Birmingham, replacing Voi.
The first phase of the scheme will see 200 e-scooters made available to hire in the city centre and surrounding neighbourhoods, with a further 700 to be rolled out by the end of September 2023.
Beryl was appointed by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and Birmingham City Council as the new operator for the e-scooter rental trial in the city.
The scheme will include a number of features designed to make it as safe as possible for users and pedestrians. This includes driving licence scanning technology with selfie verification on sign up and further checks when moving account to a new device.
There will also be both random and targeted selfie verification checks to deter misuse.
The e-scooters are available to hire alongside hundreds of West Midlands Cycle Hire bikes in central Birmingham under the Beryl app, providing an integrated sustainable transport scheme for the region.
In a change from the previous scheme in Birmingham, these e-scooters will need to be collected from and returned to a designated dock or parking bay.
Phil Ellis, Beryl CEO and co-founder, said: “We’re really excited to be working with another of the UK’s major city regions and I’m confident that our experience and innovation can help our e-scooters become a crucial cog in the region’s integrated urban transport network.
“As well as being fun, easy to use and cost-effective, our e-scooters provide a sustainable alternative to the car that helps reduce traffic congestion, cut harmful carbon dioxide emissions and improve air quality.
“We hope their arrival on the streets of Birmingham will encourage as many people as possible to switch to more sustainable transport.”
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Beryl currently operates three other DfT-sanctioned e-scooter hire schemes in partnership with Norfolk County Council, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council and the Isle of Wight Council.
They also run, bike, e-bike and e-cargo bike hire schemes in Watford, Hereford, Hackney, Westminster, Greater Manchester, Cornwall, Plymouth, Brighton and Solent and provide the technology for London’s Santander Bikes.
