Issue - meetings

Purpose.

Following previous approval at the Traffic and Transportation Cabinet Meeting in February 2021 to participate in an E-Scooter Rental Trial until 26^th November 2021, this report seeks approval to further extend the trial until 31^st March 2022.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member for Traffic & Transportation:

1.    Approves an extension to Portsmouth's participation in the trial from its scheduled end date of 26^th November 2021 to 31^st March 2022, to be achieved via the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) that is already in place for the trial, and renewal of the Vehicle Special Order (VSO).

2.    Agrees that if the extension is approved, a decision on whether to further extend it to 30^th November 2022 will be taken by the Traffic and Transportation Cabinet in early 2022, and that this decision be informed by evidence gathered throughout the trial. 

Appendices C and D will follow.

DECISIONS

1.    Approved an extension to Portsmouth's participation in the trial from its scheduled end date of 26th November 2021 to 31st March 2022, to be achieved via the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) that is already in place for the trial, and renewal of the Vehicle Special Order (VSO).

2.    Agreed that if the extension is approved, a decision on whether to further extend it to 30th November 2022 will be taken by the Traffic and Transportation Cabinet in early 2022, and that this decision be informed by evidence gathered throughout the trial

Felicity Tidbury, Transport Planning Manager introduced the report and in response to questions, she and Hayley Chivers, Strategic Transport Lead clarified the following points:

Voi is hold monthly events to promote safety and the council is working with them on in-app notifications about safety.  There is also an online school where users can read safety advice.

Provisional models did not have indicators.

The GPS on the scooters are only accurate to 8m which means that if the path is adjacent to the road, the scooter cannot be disabled for riding on the pavement.

The speed limit in the Guildhall Square is 5mph.

The minimum age for hiring a scooter is 18.  The council is using social media platforms including TikTok to target the younger demographic to raise awareness of using e-scooters safely.

Gareth James, Future Transport Zone Project Manager explained that the carbon dioxide reduction figures are being closely scrutinised.  Voi Beryl E-scooters on the Isle of Wight have used all the correct techniques and base figures.   The survey carried out in Portsmouth by Voi calculated the notional figure at 44% and Portsmouth City Council's survey stated 56%.

Solent Transport will continue monitoring and this will inform further decisions. 

Many factors were considered when calculating the carbon reduction figures, including the durability of the scooters (now 5 years) and their disposal.

The most used parking node is at the Hard Interchange.  Many of these scooters are used for the last mile of multi-modal journeys.

Equitable access for everyone in Portsmouth is essential.

Complaints from the public are not in the report but Voi is looking at a way to integrate them.  He noted that in Voi Ambassadors recorded approximately 900 incidents and in the same period there were 48 complaints. 

Actions

It was agreed that the following information would be shared with Cllr Bosher:

A breakdown of the data in paragraph 5.5 would be shared if available.

Further information on carbon dioxide savings and usage.

DECISIONS

1.    Approved an extension to Portsmouth's participation in the trial from its scheduled end date of 26th November 2021 to 31st March 2022, to be achieved via the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) that is already in place for the trial, and renewal of the Vehicle Special Order (VSO).

2.    Agreed that if the extension is approved, a decision on whether to further extend it to 30th November 2022 will be taken by the Traffic and Transportation Cabinet in early 2022, and that this decision be informed by evidence gathered throughout the trial