By Lydia Potter and Lucy Ellison
Bolt has arrived in Liverpool with a new contract that replaced the existing Voi e-scooters.
The new service will see 2000 scooters and 100 e-bikes deployed across Liverpool. Garston and Speke will also have access to the scooters for the first time.
Bolt’s scooters operate on a 24 hour basis, which has raised concern over the potential increase of drunk riders using the scooters as a cheaper way to get home.
Voi e-scooters originally operated from 6am until midnight.
Bolt is working with Liverpool City Council to ensure the scooters are safe and support the city’s transport sustainability goals.
E-Scooters are a more sustainable alternative to public transport that reduce congestion in busy times.
Councillor Dan Barrington, Cabinet Member for Transport and Connectivity said: “They’re safe, they encourage active travel and they offer a sustainable option that could reduce the amount of traffic on our streets”.
He also commented on the expansion of operating times saying it will “assist shift workers and those in the night-time economy who need to travel when there is no public transport.”
Bolt have established a number of safety regulations to ensure riders are as safe as possible including a maximum speed of 15.5 mph and an in-app cognitive reaction test to prevent drunk riding.
Bolt operates on distance based pricing, unlike Voi who charged riders per minute.
Riders are also required to submit photos of their parking at the end of each trip. The Bolt app provides feedback and can issue fines for incorrect parking in attempts to encourage more responsible usage.
The scooters are available to use around Liverpool now.
