Hobart’s scooter situation a step closer to being answered as review into Beam closes

Hobart City Council’s review into Beam review expected soon. The city is unlikely to be without e-scooters either way, according to the Mayor.

A Beam E-Scooter. Picture: Shae Beplate.

The future of e-scooters in Hobart will be clearer after the council makes its final decision following a review of Hobart’s exclusive provider’s permit.

Hire e-scooter provider Beam was given until close of business on Monday to respond to the review undertaken by Hobart City Council following reports of data manipulation by the company leading to its permit being cancelled in other Australian states.

The results are expected to be released publicly once the council has determined the outcome.

Micro-mobility options such as e-scooters make up a large part of the Hobart Transport Strategy 2024, which is designed to create choice in transport options around Hobart.

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds could not predetermine the outcome of the review, but said if the permit had to be cancelled the council could consider going back to the market to find another provider or encourage the uptake of personal e-scooters or other forms of micro mobility.

Ms Reynolds said the scooters were well used, and not just by tourists, across the city.

“About 13,000 people have used the scooters across Hobart over the past month,’ she said.

“For some people, they are a part of their daily routines.”

Beam secured the exclusive e-scooter permit for Hobart over rival company Neuron in March 2024.

Earlier in September, the council issued Beam with a show cause notice, which Beam responded to.

A Beam spokeswoman declined to comment while the review was still underway.

Originally published as Hobart’s scooter situation a step closer to being answered as review into Beam closes