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City renews e-scooter contract despite criticism

Alex Seabrook
Local Democracy Reporting Service
BBC Several turquoise e-scooters are lined up beside each other on a footpath. BBC
New parking bays have been promised for the e-scooter services in Bristol

Tier-Dott will continue operating its e-scooter rental scheme in Bristol after the company's contract was extended.

The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) reviewed how the operator has since taking over, and decided to allow the firm to continue.

According to the LDRS, a source familiar with the matter said that WECA has also allocated money to Bristol City Council to create new physical parking infrastructure for the e-scooters in the city centre and Clifton before Easter.

Both Tier-Dott and the West of England Combined Authority were asked for comment.

A blonde woman in a long jacket with a scarf draped over her left shoulder drives past blurred shopfronts on a turquoise Tier e-scooter.
Tier took over the contract from Voi in 2023, before merging with Dott

Since their takeover, Tier-Dott has faced criticism from some users of the scheme, which also includes e-bikes, due to a range of problems including higher prices, faulty kickstands and a less user-friendly app.

Green Councillor Toby Wells, who sits on the West of England overview and scrutiny committee, wants the authority to hold the operator to account.

"Since Dott took over Tier, the level of service has degraded and prices have gone up without warning.

"First, the 'long-term rental' scooters were removed with 24 hours notice, and users are still waiting to hear when they will come back. The prices, which were already higher than Tier's, recently went up by 37.5% with little communication or justification.

He added that "having the exclusive contract to operate hire bikes and scooters in our city is a privilege, not a right, and I sincerely hope that WECA is going to hold Dott to account, so that we can have an affordable and reliable micro-mobility service for the people of Bristol."

A large group of pink Voi e-scooters is parked on a pavement area beside a tree.
E-scooters users have complained of price hikes since Voi lost the contract

Both Tier-Dott and the West of England Combined Authority were asked for comment. WECA has also failed to respond to a freedom of information request within the legal deadline, requesting information about the review into the contract.

The law says that public authorities must respond to freedom of information requests within 20 working days, though a response is expected soon.

The review into the contract was first revealed last September, in a report to the WECA committee.

It examined value for residents, benefits of continuity of the service, and performance against key undisclosed indicators.

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