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The government contract specialist firm Serco has extended its contract to operate London’s Santander Cycles scheme.
Hampshire-based Serco, an international contractor for government services in a variety of sectors, has signed a new three-year deal with Transport for London (TfL) maintain and distribute London’s cycle hire bikes, including the newly introduced e-bikes.
Sam Jones, Serco’s micromobility director, said: “At Serco we are extremely proud of our long-standing support for the London cycle hire scheme and relationship with TfL, having been responsible for the scheme’s initial design, build and operation and more recently the supply, maintenance and distribution of the bikes. This new contract extension will continue the relationship, support the introduction of the new e-bikes, and deliver over £2m in operational savings for TfL.”
The extension has been valued at £50 million, will see Serco run the popular micromobility solution up until 2025.
Serco has operated Santander Cycles scheme since it was first introduced in 2010, having designed and built the early version.
Earlier this year, TfL announced that 500 new e-bikes would be rolled out in London, broadening the transport offering for travellers in the capital.
The cycle hire scheme continues to see record hires with 9.5million so far this year, 1.2 million higher than at the same point last year.
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David Eddington, TfL’s head of cycle hire, said: “Our popular Santander Cycle Hire scheme has gone from strength to strength in recent years. It provides an active and sustainable way of getting around the capital and is available for all Londoners to use and enjoy. With the support of Serco, we have been able to make cycling more accessible through the introduction of e-bikes. By providing a boost as you pedal, the new e-bikes are helping people overcome barriers to cycling, including fitness, age, and journey length. We have worked with Serco since the launch of the scheme in 2010 and our continuing relationship will help to ensure the continuing success of Santander Cycles, introducing more people to the joys of cycling.”
