Micromobility operator TIER has partnered with ride-hailing app FREE NOW as part of the shared e-scooter trial at Dublin City University.
Through the partnership passengers can book e-scooters from the TIER fleet via the FREE NOW app.
Taking place across five DCU campuses, the trial got underway in July and will run until early 2022.
It is the first shared e-scooter pilot to take place in Ireland and comes in parallel with moves to legalise the mode of transport across the country.
Information from the trial will be used to help improve safety for e-scooter users and pedestrians, with local authorities gaining access to valuable data.
Research from FREE NOW found that 75 per cent of respondents believe Ireland lags behind other European countries in terms of sustainable transport options.
Meanwhile, 12 per cent said they would consider ditching their car if an option like an e-scooter rental scheme was legalised.
FREE NOW has existing partnerships with TIER in Germany, France, the UK, Poland and Austria.
“Our research trial at DCU brings TIER together with a range of brilliant partners to ensure Ireland’s first e-scooter scheme is not only a success but a valuable learning opportunity for cities exploring the future of micro-mobility,” said Fred Jones, Northern Europe General Manager at TIER.
“By adding the trusted and popular FREE NOW app to that mix we can take the trial multimodal and generate more compelling insights.”
Commenting on the DCU pilot partnership, Niall Carson General Manager of FREE NOW Ireland added: “We are delighted to partner with TIER and support the continued rollout of Ireland’s first e-scooter pilot scheme over the coming months across DCU campuses.
“This scheme will positively contribute to the safety standards for e-scooter usage in Ireland and we hope it will support the government’s rollout of legislation in the coming months – enabling people across the country to avail of safe, sustainable and convenient micro-mobility rental.”
