00:00Campaigners have endorsed a new deal for cycle and e-scooter hire across the West Midlands
00:05and are calling for a drastic expansion of the scheme.
00:08Better Streets for Birmingham has welcomed the decision by Transport for West Midlands
00:12to select Lime as the new provider of micro-mobility services,
00:16with the contract due to begin from 1 April.
00:19Under the agreement, more than 2,000 new e-bikes and e-scooters are expected to be introduced across the region.
00:24The scheme will operate at no cost to the taxpayer,
00:27with Transport for West Midlands estimating savings of around ÂŁ1.4 million each year.
00:33Martin Price, chair of Better Streets for Birmingham,
00:35said e-bikes and e-scooters are now a backbone of many major cities
00:39and described Lime as having a strong reputation, particularly around large events.
00:44He said the company understands the challenges faced by the previous scheme,
00:48but stressed the need for rapid expansion in coverage and availability.
00:52He also called on councils to help deliver new virtual and physical docking locations
00:56at a pace that matches Lime's ambitions.
00:59Transport for West Midlands previously extended existing contracts on a short-term basis
01:03while a new provider was found.
01:05Leaders said the new deal was designed to remove reliance on public subsidy.
01:09Lime says it will introduce a new fare structure but keep overall prices at current levels
01:14for the first two years to protect affordability.
01:17West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said the new fleet and price freeze would support greener travel,
01:21cut congestion and improve air quality while freeing up more than ÂŁ1 million a year
01:25for reinvestment into regional transport.
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