E-transport trial: time to have your say

Sunshine Coast Council is on the hunt for a smart, safe and efficient transport system that services and supports a rapidly growing region – without putting more cars on the road.

One of the solutions Council is exploring is permanent electric scooter and bike hire services in busy areas on the Sunshine Coast.

Environmentally friendly and quick, e-transport offers residents and visitors an alternative to cars for short trips.  

An 18-month trial with Neuron Mobility is underway in Mooloolaba and Maroochydore hubs until September 30, 2024.

Before the trial ends, Council is seeking community feedback to evaluate if e-transport is a good fit for our region and if our community would embrace this mode of transport as an alternative for getting around Maroochydore and Mooloolaba.

This trial has been an opportunity for Council, residents and visitors to experience and test e-scooter and e-bike hire services within specific locations on the Coast.

It is also environmentally friendly and is in line with Council’s Environment and Livability Strategy that aims to foster healthy, smart and creative solutions to how we live and move around the region.

Since the trial's introduction mid-last year, 400 e-scooters and 75 e-bikes have made more than 100,000 trips and travelled 218,000km.

Council is committed to finding the right service provider with the right equipment and experience to provide a safe, eco-friendly alternative to getting around our region, while helping to ease traffic congestion.

This change in commuter behaviour also supports Council’s desire to reduce car trips across our region as outlined in Council's Integrated Transport Strategy.

This is another example of how Council is working with the community to nurture and enhance our environment and quality of life.

Residents and visitors are invited to review the Neuron e-transport trial this May until 5pm Monday, June 3, by answering a short Have Your Say survey on Council’s website.

Background

Council endorsed the Sunshine Coast e-transport trial for Maroochydore and Mooloolaba in December 2022.

Between December 2022 and March 2023 businesses could apply for a trial permit to operate their e-bike and/or e-scooter business in Maroochydore and Mooloolaba.

Council received four Expression of Interest submissions.

Neuron Mobility, owners and operators of the orange coloured e-bikes and e-scooters, were the successful applicants and were awarded an 18-month trial permit which was aimed at providing Council with the opportunity to assess if:

• e-transport is a good fit for the Sunshine Coast region
• the community would embrace this mode of transport as an alternative for getting around Maroochydore and Mooloolaba