In brief: A new trial at Liberation Station lets registered users collect and return mobility scooters directly at the bus station, removing the need to travel to Shopmobility Jersey’s Sand Street base first. Smart technology handles bookings, tracks scooters and provides remote access via a secure code. If successful, similar facilities could be rolled out elsewhere in Jersey.
Getting Around Just Got Easier
For anyone who has ever wondered why collecting a mobility scooter requires its own mobility challenge, Shopmobility Jersey and its partners may have found a rather elegant answer. Channel Eye reports that a new trial at Liberation Station now allows registered users to pick up and drop off scooters directly at the bus station in St Helier, rather than making a separate trip to the organisation’s Sand Street base.
The scheme is aimed at two groups in particular: Islanders with disabilities who struggle to get into St Helier in the first place, and visitors who are unable to bring their own scooters to the Island. In both cases, the old arrangement created a rather circular problem. The new one does not.
Users must first register with Shopmobility Jersey and complete a short training session. After that, bookings and payments are handled online, and a secure code is issued to unlock the scooter during Liberation Station’s opening hours. The scooters in use are Rascal models, integrated with secure tracking and remote-access technology by Electric Mobility.
Technology Doing the Heavy Lifting
Behind the scenes, local technology firm IoT CI has provided connected trackers and a hire platform that manages bookings, customer records and scooter availability. Jonathan Anderson, Director of IoT CI, said the company was “proud to be providing the technology behind Shopmobility Jersey’s new service,” adding that the platform could also be used by other mobility scooter and e-bike hire operators in future.
Edward Trevor MBE, Founder and Chairman of Shopmobility Jersey, described the initiative as “unique” in the way it brings together public transport, mobility support and technology. He expressed hope that it would help people who face “limited parking or mobility barriers” to enjoy “greater independence and access to the town.” He also noted that, if the trial proves successful, there is potential for similar facilities to be introduced at other locations around the Island, subject to finding suitable and secure sites.
Kevin Hart, Director of LibertyBus, pointed out a practical bonus beyond accessibility: by allowing more users to travel into town by bus and collect a scooter on arrival, the scheme could also reduce the number of car journeys into St Helier. That is a win that cuts across the usual political divides.
Partners and Backing
The trial has been led by Shopmobility Jersey alongside LibertyBus, IoT CI and Electric Mobility, with support from the Government of Jersey’s Disability and Inclusion team. Dario Gentili, Project Manager for Disability and Inclusion at the Government of Jersey, said the trial “demonstrates what can be achieved when community organisations, technology partners and public services work together towards a shared goal,” and described it as helping to “reduce practical barriers” for disabled Islanders and visitors.
The involvement of the Government of Jersey’s Disability and Inclusion team is worth noting. This is a relatively modest, targeted use of public resource in partnership with community and private-sector organisations, focused on a clear and measurable outcome. Whether the trial delivers on its promise will become apparent in the months ahead.
Source: Channel Eye
