A RECRUITMENT drive is underway to support the use of e-scooters and e-bikes in York.

TIER, which launched a trial of electric scooters for hire last year as part of Government green transport plans, is looking to fill eight new positions since its operations expanded.

The company recently added 50 electric bikes to its fleet and upgraded 250 rental e-scooters with smaller decks to stop two people riding them at the same time and identification plates so people can report irresponsible riders.

The jobs focus on two roles, one of which is joining the team of rangers who maintain the fleet.

Rangers swap batteries and conduct health checks on the vehicles to ensure they are kept to the highest of standards for riders to use. They also re-balance the scooters around the city of York, based on rider-demand, and to ensure orderliness of the city.

As TIER was the first micro-mobility company to become fully climate neutral in 2020, its rangers always use electric vans when going about their work.

TIER also needs more people to join the pavement and parking patrol team, whose job is to ensure users are riding responsibly and tackle disorderly behaviour. The team is also responsible for regularly cleaning and sanitising the fleet.

TIER’s head of cities Georgia Yexley said: “The amazing demand of the e-scooters in York has allowed us to expand the trial to further parts of the city and introduce e-bikes into the mix.

"This expansion has led us to welcoming more members of the team to ensure that the safety, sustainability and responsibility of our operations are kept to the highest of standards.

"I look forward to welcoming many new people to the TIER team to work in these essential roles that will make sure that TIER offers the most inclusive service for everyone in York.”

More than 6,500 people have used the scooters so far.