Solent Transport partners with Vianova to enhance shared micromobility operations

Solent Transport and Vianova, a leading provider of smart mobility data solutions, have announced their partnership to enhance the management and oversight of the region’s shared e-scooter and e-bike programmes. 

The collaboration is part of the Solent Future Transport Zone (FTZ) programme, aimed at accelerating mobility innovation by deploying new modes and piloting new technology. 

With 1.25 million people and high levels of car dependency, the potential for shared micromobility in The Solent is immense. We’re delighted to be working with Solent Transport to help them continue to unlock this potential.

This project comes at an exciting time with UK shared micromobility legislation pending and data-driven decision-making being emphasised through initiatives like the AI Opportunities Action Plan. – Marcus Miller, Head of Business Development, UK, at Vianova

Vianova and Solent Transport will work together throughout 2025, the final year of the FTZ Programme.

Pioneering Sustainable Transport in the Solent Area

The Solent area, encompassing South Hampshire, Portsmouth, Southampton, and the Isle of Wight, is home to approximately 1.25 million residents.

As part of the UK Government’s Future Transport Zone (FTZ) programme, Solent Transport has been at the forefront of introducing innovative transport solutions to reduce car dependency and promote sustainability.

The region’s e-scooter and e-bike programmes, currently operated exclusively by Voi, have collectively facilitated over 4 million e-scooter journeys and 250,000 e-bike journeys to date.

Solent Transport won £29m from the Department for Transport (DfT) to implement innovative future transport solutions around personal mobility and freight movements.

The funding means the Solent area will benefit from several innovative transport solutions, including: smartphone apps for planning and paying for sustainable journeys, demand, e-bike share scheme, and new approaches to freight distribution, including drone freight trials for NHS deliveries across the Solent to the Isle of Wight. Funding will be allocated to different projects across the region.

The Solent Future Transport Zone programme proposes to address local challenges such as high levels of car usage and the environmental impacts of freight movement within Solent’s urban areas. It will do this by delivering a series of complementary projects within two key themes: Personal Mobility and Sustainable Urban Logistics.

Leveraging Data-Driven Insights with Vianova

Through the use of Vianova’s advanced data platform, trusted by over 80 cities worldwide, Solent Transport aims to transition from traditional static reports to real-time data analytics and dynamic programme management. This partnership will enable Solent Transport and its partner local authorities to:

• Optimise Infrastructure Planning: Utilise geospatial analysis to plan parking zones, monitor activity across city districts, and assess integration with transit hubs.
• Improve Parking Safety: Access third-party verified data to ensure adherence to Service Level Agreements (SLAs), including parking compliance and fleet availability.
• Enhance Regulatory Transparency: Maintain a centralised, up-to-date and public inventory of regulations and parking zones.

Setting a Precedent for UK Authorities

The national government is currently considering granting local authorities more regulatory powers over e-bikes, whilst e-scooter trials have been opened up to new cities, and potential legislation is forthcoming.

Therefore, this partnership will serve as a valuable case study for other UK authorities. It will showcase how data-driven strategies can effectively manage shared mobility programmes, enabling them to thrive safely and sustainably.

The historic and real-time information provided by Vianova provides even more insight into how we can continuously improve e-scooter and e-bike services for our residents and visitors by monitoring where riders are parking, and making sure there’s always a vehicle available when users need it.

In the Solent region, we’re convinced of the vital role data-driven intelligent information services have in improving people’s experience of transport services. – Cllr Phil Jordan, Chair of Solent Transport’s Joint Committee and Leader of the Isle of Wight Council