E-scooter hire scheme to launch in Portsmouth next year

Portsmouth is due to launch a year-long e-scooter hire system that will allow people to rent them via an app from docks located around the city.

The city council is currently looking into companies to provide the scooters, with hopes it will be ready to run in the spring next year.

Although e-scooters are legal to use when part of a hire scheme, private scooters are still illegal to use on public roads.

Transport boss, Councillor Lynne Stagg, said: ‘I think electric scooters are a brilliant idea if they are ridden properly.

‘The trouble is so many people are using them already but they are illegal and these people seem to have no road sense whatsoever. The number of near accidents I have seen is horrendous.

‘Under this system they have to be 17 or over and have a provisional driving licence, and everything will be properly regulated.

‘These will be geo-fenced so if they got out of certain areas they won't work. And we will have them a particular colour to help them stand out and that will make the privately owned ones more noticeable.’

It was originally planned a trial would be ready to run this October. But a scheme will be running on the Isle of Wight by then as both areas are part of a Solent-wide trial.

Cllr Stagg added:’'It has been delayed because looking at different options - we want the best thing.

‘But because of the delay I am worried that parents will buy their children e-scooters for Christmas.’

Docking stations could be located at Clarence Pier, the Cosham interchange, Guildhall Square, Lakeside North Harbour, the Hard Interchange and the park and ride in a bid to encourage use by commuters.

Tory spokesman for transport, Cllr Simon Bosher, shared some of Cllr Stagg's fears.

‘I think it was inevitable that e-scooters were going to feature more and more as a means for people to travel - they're quick, easy and will have a positive impact on air quality but I do have my concerns,’ he said.

‘My message to people is by all means enjoy the trial when it comes out but do not think it's a green light to go out and buy e-scooters for Christmas because they are illegal.

‘If the police stop you on one they can take it away and if you drive you could end up with points on your licence.’

Solent Transport has been working with the Department for Transport to allow for the reallocation of £900,000 from other schemes to pay for e-scooter schemes across Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight, Winchester and Southampton.

Cllr Stagg will decide whether to progress with arrangements for the trial during a council meeting next week.

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