Spin offering free rides to healthcare workers and subsidised rates to low-income riders

Spin has launched two schemes, Spin Access and Spin Everyday Heroes, to support key workers and low-income riders in the UK with free and subsidised rides in its areas of operations.

Both programmes are now live in Milton Keynes and will also be available in additional locations where Spin is planning to bring e-scooters, including those in Essex.

Through the Everyday Heroes scheme, all NHS workers that work in a healthcare facility in Spin’s active trial locations (including doctors, nurses, cleaners, radiology and lab technicians, medical assistants, and hospital and clinic administrators) are eligible for free rides.

Applicants simply need to upload an image of their NHS ID and register on the dedicated webpage. Riders will receive a unique code via email for use in the Spin app and then receive the first 30 minutes of their rides for free on any Spin scooter.

“Many of us have the benefit of currently being able to work from home and are avoiding our daily commutes – but this isn’t an option for the many healthcare professionals who are still making essential trips, risking their own health to care for others,” said Peter Riddell, community partnerships manager at Spin UK.

“Spin’s goal has always been to make getting around simpler and safer for everyone. By subsidising trips for essential public servants we can do our bit to make these essential journeys affordable, given e-scooters are a more socially-distanced transport option.”

In the US, Spin has already provided over 35,000 free rides and 500 free helmets to more than 1,200 key workers. This includes partnering with 54 hospitals, with support ranging from deploying e-scooters at “healthcare zones,” where scooters are available 24/7 for late-night shift workers, to providing hospital administrators with information on how their staff can access this benefit.

Spin Access provides subsidised fares for those who qualify. To begin with, the scheme will offer subsidised rates to unemployed and low-income riders registered with Jobcentre Plus and who are part of the Jobcentre Plus Travel programme.

Eligible riders will receive a 50% discount from regular fares, reducing it from £0.25/minute to £0.12/minute in Milton Keynes. Unlocking the e-scooter will come at no additional charge.

Users in the UK must submit proof of their enrolment in the Jobcentre Plus Travel discount programme to Spin to obtain the discount code. Once they’ve done this via the Spin Access website, eligible users will receive a unique discount code and can start riding with a discount immediately.

Spin is also investigating additional programmes that would also benefit from Spin Access eligibility.

“Spin’s mission is to give riders the freedom to move, and income levels shouldn’t be a barrier to people using e-scooters as an efficient, convenient way to access goods and services in their communities,” added Riddell. “There is still demand for transport options from those who have to make essential trips, like job interviews and our goal is to make getting around simpler and safer for all community members when they need to.”

To apply for Spin Access, please visit www.spin.app/spin-access-uk. Proof of enrolment in the Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Programme is required. Contact your local Jobcentre Plus office for more information on how to apply for the Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Programme.

To apply for Spin Everyday Heroes, please visit https://www.spin.app/covid19-uk. Proof of enrolment with the NHS badge is required.