DUNTON, UK - December 9th, 2020 — Today Spin, the micromobility unit of Ford Motor Company, announces the launch of its first public hire e-scooter trial in Basildon, the first of its kind in Essex.
Spin is launching the service with 50 e-scooters available for hire in the town from this week. This is the first step in a managed phased launch which Spin is looking to gradually expand hand in hand with demand and working closely with Basildon Council.
Two of Spin’s programmes supporting key workers and low-income riders will also be available in Basildon*. All National Health Service (NHS) workers that work in a healthcare facility in Spin’s active trial locations will be eligible for 30-minute free rides, a scheme known as Everyday Heroes,.
Another scheme, Spin Access will provide subsidised fares - 50% off - for those who qualify. To begin with, the scheme will offer subsidised rates to unemployed and low-income riders registered with Jobcentre Plus and who have access to a Jobcentre Plus Discount Travel Card.
Spin is working closely with Basildon and Essex County Council to trial this new transport mode that provides choice and accessibility for local residents and that’s complimentary to public transport and an alternative to short-distance car journeys. Spin will continue to work with local authorities in Essex as it looks to roll out in other locations over the coming months.
Commenting on the launch, Steve Pyer, UK Country Manager at Spin said, “We are excited to launch the first of our Essex e-scooter trials in Basildon. Our aim is to develop an affordable and reliable service that gives the local community of more than 100,000 residents a more sustainable, fun and socially-distanced way to travel around the town. To achieve this, we are taking a community-centred, consultative approach with local authorities, with public safety as a top priority. Unlike private e-scooters that are still illegal in the UK, we have much more control of the e-scooters speed and the areas where people can ride. As this is part of the national trials we’ll be closely monitoring it and sharing findings and feedback with the Department for Transport and local authorities and fine-tune operations as and when needed.”
Chairman of the Neighbourhoods and Public Spaces Committee Councillor David Harrison said: “This is an exciting initiative that offers an environmentally friendly travel option at a time when we are working hard to improve air quality in the borough.”
Chairman of the Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee Councillor Jack Ferguson said: “We are committed to helping to facilitate travel and efficiency of movement across the borough and this scheme will be of particular benefit to commuters.”
The trial will have strict operational rules to ensure safety of all road users, be it pedestrians, including those with sight and hearing loss, cyclists or drivers. Spin e-scooters are speed-restricted to a maximum of 15.5 mph. Spin will use geofencing technology to create dedicated ‘go slow’ and ‘no ride’ areas and to prevent its e-scooters from being operated outside of permitted areas. Outside of the ‘no ride’ areas, e-scooters can be ridden anywhere that bicycles are allowed to go, including most low-speed (up to 30mph) roads. Use of e-scooters is not permitted on pavements. For up to date information on where people can ride as well as not permitted areas users should visit the Spin App.
From Monday 7th December, the Spin team will be on the ground at St. Martins Square in Basildon to give a hand to those wanting to try the e-scooters. On Friday 11th and Saturday 12th December, Spin will be offering free e-scooter training provided by professional scooting company ScootFit. Those interested are advised to pre-book slots on this website. A small-number of walk-in slots will be available on both days. The Spin team will be following all government guidelines including social distancing and helmets will be provided which customers can keep.
Spin will be using Ford’s Dagenham facility for servicing e-scooters and as a depot. Spin will be opening new warehousing in Essex to support the trials as the schemes grow.
Graham Hoare, Ford of Britain chairman, said: “As a transportation leader, offering all modes of sustainable future mobility is a priority. The majority of our employees, countless suppliers and other partners are Essex residents, who will also benefit from this exciting trial and the innovative technology changing private transport landscape Spin scooters will help to share.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
*To apply for Spin Access, please visit: www.spin.app/spin-access-uk. Proof of enrolment in the Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Programme is required. Contact your local Jobcentre Plus office for more information on how to apply for the Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Programme.
To apply for Spin Everyday Heroes, please visit: https://www.spin.app/covid19-uk. Proof of enrolment with the NHS badge is required.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification; mobility solutions, including self-driving services; and connected services. Ford employs approximately 187,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
Ford of Britain has been sales leader in the U.K. for passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles for 43 and 54 consecutive years respectively, with Fiesta being the country’s top-selling vehicle for the last 10 years. The U.K. is Ford’s third-largest global market and accounts for around 30 percent of total Ford vehicle sales in Europe. Ford is pursuing leadership positions across mobility and electrified vehicles, launching 14 hybrid and electric vehicles this year. Ford directly employs around 6,500 people in the U.K., with thousands more employed in its extensive dealer network. The Ford Britain Dunton Campus in Essex is the home of its European commercial vehicle business group, the Ford of Britain national sales company, Ford’s banking arm – Ford Credit Europe – and powertrain engineering. Ford’s manufacturing operations are a UK export success story with around 85 percent of engines and all transmissions exported to more than 15 countries on six continents. The value of these exports, including machined engine components, is around £2.5 billion annually.
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Spin is one of the leading micromobility companies and a unit of Ford Mobility. Spin has been recognized for launching the first stationless mobility program in the United States and was instrumental in crafting the world’s first mobility permit system. As a trusted and reliable partner, Spin currently operates electric scooters in many cities and universities nationwide and is the exclusive operator in dozens of markets. Spin consists of a diverse team of experienced professionals from government and private sectors, and the transportation advocacy world, all of whom are committed to fulfilling the company’s mission — giving people the freedom to move and bringing people, communities, and their urban environment closer together. https://www.spin.app/
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