Free scooter travel offer for Cambridge NHS staff
Cambridge NHS staff, as well as emergency workers, are being offered free journeys on the new electric scooters around the city.
The Voi scooters, which were installed last month as part of a green transport scheme with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, can be used 24 hours a day and are free of charge during the current lockdown.
Combined Authority mayor James Palmer said he is also expanding the e-scooter operational zone in Cambridge to make it easier for doctors, nurses and other emergency service workers to get to and from work.
From Monday (November 9), e-scooters have been in operation at Trumpington Park and Ride and Addenbrooke’s Hospital. The Combined Authority has also increased the number of scooters available from 50 to 100.
Mr Palmer said: “We understand there may be tough times ahead for our NHS and emergency service staff, who continue to go above and beyond to keep people in our region safe.
“We have acted quickly to do what we can to try to make lives easier, working with Voi to provide free rides 24 hours a day and to provide more scooters in new locations which will hopefully help doctors, nurses and other NHS staff get to work in a safe and enjoyable way whilst avoiding traffic.”
There are currently an estimated 26,500 visits to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus – home of Addenbrooke’s and Royal Papworth hospitals – every day from patients, staff, academics, scientists and visitors.
The free rides will be available until December 2 as part of the Voi 4 Heroes initiative. To apply for a Voi 4 Heroes pass, users need to upload a valid NHS identity, Blue Light card or a Defense Discount Service through the Voi website.
The ID card must be clear and legible and include the full face of the document. On receipt of the proof, Voi will send a confirmation email allowing the rider to claim free rides in the Voi app.
To keep riders safe, all Voi e-scooters are disinfected daily and the handlebars of each scooter feature copper tape which minimises coronavirus on contact. The Voi app also provides Covid-19 information and advice.
Since the e-beginning of the scooter trial three weeks ago, there have been more than 2,500 rides.
See voiscooters.com.
