Townsville e-Scooters: Neuron, Beam claim $25m+ economic boost to local economy

Townsville’s e-Scooter craze shows no sign of slowing down – while data reveals they are helping put millions of dollars in local businesses’ pockets each year.

E-scooters are contributing tens of millions of dollars to Townsville's economy per year. Picture: Kiel Egging

E-Scooters have boosted Townsville’s economy by at least $25m this year according to figures from the city’s two providers.

And one provider says usage of its e-Scooters in the city is continuing to soar, with a 30 per cent year-on-year increase.

Beam has estimated its 400 purple e-Scooters in Townsville has boosted the local economy by $8.5m in 2022, with six out of every 10 trips resulting in a purchase at a local business.

General Manager for Australia and New Zealand, Tom Cooper, said the figure included the company’s investment in local operations and the estimated impact from rider spending at local businesses.

Meanwhile, fellow provider Neuron Mobility believes riders on its 450 orange e-Scooters spent $31m at local businesses in the 2021-22 financial year, with seven out of every 10 trips leading to a purchase.

Neuron Mobility has more than 450 e-Scooters in Townsville. Picture: Supplied

The Bulletin’s estimate is based on half of Neuron’s total combined with Beam’s figure.

Neuron’s Australia and New Zealand regional manager, Richard Hannah, said the company was delighted with the impact its e-Scooters was having on locals’ travel habits.

E-scooter company Beam believes its e-Scooters have contributed $8.5m to the Townsville economy this year. Photo: Shane Reid

“The people of Townsville have shown an overwhelming amount of positive feedback about our e-scooters,” he said.

“Sustainability and safety are the core of Neuron’s operations and the latest data shows that e-scooters are playing a key role in replacing car journeys.

“It’s encouraging to see that close to half of Townsville riders are replacing a short car trip with an e-scooter ride, helping to reduce congestion and emissions in the city.”

Mr Cooper said Beam had found its scooter usage in Townsville had increased annually by 30 per cent, and more than 50 per cent of rides had a purpose such as travelling to work or the shops.

He said The Strand remained the most popular spot for e-Scooter use in Townsville, along with areas near the Dean St and Little Fletcher bridges.

“We are seeing an increase in commuter behaviour during the week, with peak hours in the early mornings and immediate after work hours,” Mr Cooper said.

“This tells us that riders are getting more used to e-scooters as a regular mode of transport,” he said.

The RACQ named Townsville as Queensland’s e-Scooter capital earlier this year, after its public transport survey found 18 per cent of locals had used Neuron or Beam’s shared use scooters in the 12 months to September.

The same survey also found e-Scooters had become Townsville’s third most popular public transport option behind buses and ferries, and more people were using them (18 per cent) than Uber or other rideshare services (16 per cent).

Neuron expanded its local service area in March to 23.7sq km, taking in 10 new suburbs including Rowes Bay, Belgian Gardens, Pimlico and Hyde Park.

Beam began servicing Magnetic Island and James Cook University in September 2021, and Mr Cooper said it was keen to increase its footprint further around Townsville.

“We are certainly interested in seeing how e-scooter use can further encourage modal shift away from cars in Townsville through an expanded operational area, and are keen to engage with (Townsville City) council on this,” he said.

Originally published as Townsville e-Scooters: Neuron, Beam claim $25m+ economic boost to local economy