Ginger has suspended its e-scooter trial in Chester until further notice, saying it’s “reviewing our operations”.
The operator began the trial of e-scooters in the city in December 2020, with more than 180 e-scooters available for hire from 47 dockless parking locations.
Councillor Karen Shore said Cheshire West and Chester Council is “saddened” to hear of the removal of Ginger scooters from Chester streets, and “we are in discussions and awaiting further information about the decision”.
Paul Hodgins, chief executive of Ginger, said: “We are reviewing our operations and trying to find a way to come back to Chester, which has been a great place for e-scooters, proving the future of local transport in small efficient vehicles, not big cars.
“We have greatly appreciated the support of the council, who have been fantastic partners. They are doing a lot of innovative things in green transport and are working hard on enabling future transport for all residents.
“We encourage you to continue to support those efforts. And finally, we'd like to thank our amazing local team who kept the fleet running safely and efficiently.”
UK rental trials of e-scooters began in July 2020 and were originally scheduled to end in November 2021, but the deadline was recently extended for the fourth time to May 2026.
Ginger also operates in Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, Milton Keynes, Whitehaven, Scunthorpe, and Great Yarmouth - however the latter’s e-scooter service was also recently suspended, Great Yarmouth Mercury has reported.
Ginger reportedly announced the decision on its app, saying: “The e-scooter service in Great Yarmouth is run on a trial basis with private investment whilst the government decides on how to legalise e-scooters and wider micromobility.
“These trials were meant to last one year, starting in 2020. The government has recently announced they will require more than six years to decide, still providing no certainty for operators. We have tried all we can to provide continuity, but the indefinite delay is making it very difficult for operators, especially British operators like Ginger.”
Privately-owned e-scooters remain illegal to ride on public roads and Hodgins recently said it was “highly irresponsible” for the Government to keep delaying legislation, telling Cheshire Live it is because they “don’t want to take any risks ahead of an election.”
Hodgins believes, “They are looking out for their own interests, not the interests of the country.”
> Road safety charity calls for government to bring forward e-scooter legislation
Lamenting the suspension of services, Shore said Chester’s e-scooter trial supported the council’s Climate Emergency Response Plan.
“It has provided a ‘green’ restart of local travel with the aim of mitigating the impact of reduced public transport capacity that came about during the height of the pandemic, providing a sustainable mode of transport around the city and reducing short, single-occupancy car journeys. We are in discussions and awaiting further information about the decision.
“The council’s approach is pioneering and we’ll continue to progress with our many sustainable transport options for Chester and the rest of the borough. We are committed to affordable and sustainable transport and will continue to make great headway, keeping our residents and visitors connected to the places they need to get to.”
ebiketips has contacted Ginger for comment.
