TIER, Europe’s largest shared micro-mobility operator, has been announced as the winner of the competitive tender to provide the shared e-scooter across Essex. The win allows TIER to continue to operate in Colchester, Chelmsford and Basildon and comes as the operator celebrates users having taken over two million journeys on e-scooters.
Shared e-scooter services were launched in Essex in November 2020 under the Spin brand, which TIER acquired and took over operation of the service in May 2022. The service has proved popular with over two million journeys having been taken on shared e-scooters in the last three years. Customer survey findings from TIER show that roughly 1 in 5 journeys made directly replaces a journey that would have been taken by car.
TIER’s shared e-scooters are the only way to legally ride an e-scooter on the public road in Essex as the service is part of the Department for Transport’s national e-scooter trial.
Safety is paramount and TIER has strict terms and conditions for riders:
Users must be over the age of 18
E-scooters must not be ridden on the pavement
Tandem-riding, with more than one person on an e-scooter, is prohibited, as is drink-riding
TIER welcomes responsible riders, but users found to be breaching these terms face being suspended from using the service. Further details can be found in the Help and Safety section of the TIER app and on TIER’s website.
Jessica Murphy, Head of Public Policy, UK, commented: “The shared e-scooter and e-bike services we operate across Essex have been extremely successful, showing that there is consistent demand for a sustainable, accessible alternative to driving in urban areas. We are delighted to be continuing our operations across the county and look forward to bringing new features and functionality to the service in the coming months!”
Cllr Tom Cunningham, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport, commented: “The e-scooter trial being delivered by TIER contributes to our on-going ambition to make Essex safer, greener and healthier. By giving our residents choice in how they travel means that some will choose a sustainable way of travelling, especially for shorter journeys. This in turn will lead to improved air quality, reduced pressure on the network and a healthier way of living for many.”
