Sunderland’s e-scooter scheme is set to come to an end just months after it began in January this year.
Operator Zwings, which initially deployed 100 e-scooters at launch, said it was “unable to bear the costs of vandalism”, and will end the service on May 5.
The company had taken over from previous provider, Neuron, which cited increasing energy costs as a key factor in its decision to cease operations in November last year.
Stephen Bee, COO at Zwings, said: “We are deeply disappointed to be leaving Sunderland. The city council has shown great support for our e-scooter service throughout.
“I would like to thank Sunderland City Council for their support and input for the relaunch of the e-scooter trial. Sadly, we are unable to bear the costs of vandalism and operate a financially sustainable operation.
“We will be communicating fully to our riders and will be reimbursing any outstanding passes or credits. This will not affect our operations in any other UK cities, which will continue as normal.”
Peter McIntyre, Sunderland City Council’s executive director of city development, said: “It’s regrettable that a minority of people have been unable to respect or treat e-scooters correctly and so they have spoilt this opportunity to continue the service.
“We would like to thank Zwings for their work this year and we respect their decision.”
Earlier this month Paris residents voted to ban rental e-scooters in the French capital in a referendum, although private e-scooters remain legal. In the UK, e-scooters can only be ridden when rented as part of official trials, which are taking place elsewhere across the country.
> E-scooters and the law: When and where are you legally allowed to ride an electric scooter?
