Beam to launch e-scooter operations in Whanganui
Published on 13 June 2022
Beam media release
Global micromobility company Beam has partnered with Whanganui District Council and economic development agency Whanganui & Partners to bring shared micromobility to Whanganui, with up to 100 e-scooters to roll out across the city.
A trial of Beam’s climate neutral scooters will start in late June or early July, with 80 to 100 available initially, with up to 200 e-scooters to be available during the warmer months of the year.
Beam’s operations will bring not only access to shared e-scooters but also the creation of local jobs to manage the trial to the local community.
The app-based service will feature affordable pay-as-you-go rates, ‘virtual docking’ (fixed parking) to protect the city’s amenity, and an in-app and in person safety school for rider education.
Prior to the launch, the community is invited to trial the e-scooters for free, and find out more about the trial at a stall to be hosted by Beam at the Whanganui River Markets on 18 June.
Beam is the largest micromobility operator in Asia Pacific, with operations across Auckland, Wellington, Palmerston North and Whangārei in New Zealand.
The Beam offering will include:
- Beam’s Saturn e-scooter fleet: Featuring tip-resistant kickstands, dual brakes, a bluetooth-locked helmet, and swappable batteries
- Beam Booster for Retail Support: Beam’s Booster platform utilises a blend of GPS-technology, in-app notifications and partner incentives to help stimulate economic activity at the local community level. Participation is free, with applications now open for local businesses in Whanganui via www.ridebeam.com/anz/booster
- Beam Safety Academy: Because every e-scooter requires a safer rider, Beam will host free in-person training courses, in-app rider education and have 24/7 Safety Ambassadors patrolling the streets.
- Virtual Docking: Fixed parking docks will be created virtually, using technology and GPS to direct riders to appropriate parking spots through a combination of guidance, incentives, and disincentives.
- Climate Neutral Operations: Beam is the only operator in ANZ to be Certified Climate Neutral, and has recently announced a pledge to go Carbon Negative by 2025. Beam has been carbon-neutral for the entirety of its New Zealand operations, and is committed to continuing to lead the industry in sustainability, adopting technological advances to reduce its environmental impact.
Beam’s General Manager (ANZ) Tom Cooper said: “We’re thrilled to be piloting Whanganui’s first shared micromobility operations, and to bring our Industry leading e-scooters to the region. “We look forward to working collaboratively with local businesses and the local council to bring our safe, affordable and sustainable e-scooters to both residents and visitors.
“As micromobility becomes more commonplace in New Zealand, we believe its usage will only continue to increase exponentially, with more citizens engaging on the streets and leaving their cars behind.
“As we look forward to expanding our footprint, we are also committed to developing collaborative partnerships with local community members and organisations, and engage in discussions around the safe operation of e-scooters to ensure the safety of both riders, pedestrians and other road users.”
Whanganui District Council, Chief Executive David Langford said: “Whanganui District Council is excited about Beam e-scooters becoming available for Whanganui. We are committed to mitigating the impacts of climate change on our district and want to support initiatives that encourage people to adapt their means of transport to ones that are more climate friendly, and reduce dependency on private motor vehicles. E-scooters are great in this sense, especially for people traveling short distances in our inner city area.
“We believe the collaboration with Beam will also benefit visitors to Whanganui and add to our reputation as a small city packed with local attractions. Many of the larger main centres have already successfully introduced e-scooters as a way for residents and visitors alike to access local attractions and businesses.
“The council has been working closely with the team from Beam to ensure that there are clear guidelines and processes in place for use, and public and scooter user safety. Personally, I love using my e-scooter for the work commute since I moved to Whanganui and I really encourage people to come and try a scooter out for themselves.”
Hannah Middleton, Chief Executive of Whanganui & Partners, said: “Whanganui & Partners has enjoyed working with Beam to establish their e-scooters in Whanganui. This is an international company with a great reputation and the addition of e-scooters to Whanganui’s options for people getting around our city is very exciting.
“Bringing new business to Whanganui is a focus for Whanganui & Partners and the addition of new jobs is a positive for our community. Beam is already recruiting for its new positions available - with employment opportunities set to grow as the business becomes more established here.
“E-scooters are well-used transport tools in many of our neighbouring regions, and in the big centres, and it has been important to Whanganui & Partners to make sure our community has access to this great option.
“The e-scooters are an efficient, sustainable and convenient way to move from point A to B in Whanganui, and they perfectly complement our strengths as a compact city with high accessibility. Having the Beam scooters available will be great for Whanganui’s public, the business community and visitors to the city.”