Bus or Lime bike? New subscription heats up the race for a cheaper commute
Bus or Lime bike? New subscription heats up the race for a cheaper commute
James, a 23-year-old in Salford, Greater Manchester, starts his 15-minute commute home. Instead of a bus, train, or tram, he opts for an e-scooter. “I avoid the rush hour and the cramped feeling of being packed like a sardine,” he explains. As a recent graduate, saving money is a priority. “£4 a day on your commute isn’t bad, especially during the cost of living crisis,” he adds. He’s part of a growing group of young people navigating cities via Lime’s bright green e-scooters and e-bikes.
Other providers, such as Forest and Bolt, and local councils, operate similar shared mobility schemes. Lime’s latest initiative, LimePrime, launched in late February, aims to reshape commuting habits. The subscription offers fixed pricing for the first 20 minutes of rides in Salford, Nottingham, London, Oxford, and Milton Keynes, with discounted rates for additional time. In Salford, the monthly fee is £2.99, covering £1.50 for the initial 20 minutes. This compares to a bus ticket from Salford to Manchester at £2 and a tram at £2.80, though season tickets may be cheaper.
Lime’s strategy to align with public transport costs
Hal Stevenson, Lime’s policy director, emphasizes the subscription’s goal: “We want to reward regular users and encourage more frequent trips.” He highlights how many commuters in London use e-scooters to reach railway or Tube stations before boarding trains. “It’s the same price as a bus, but faster and more flexible,” he notes, citing the ease of picking up a ride directly from one’s doorstep.
“It’s basically the same price as a bus — it’s £2, at most,” says Paige, a 22-year-old student at the University of Salford. “But it takes me straight from my door to town, without traffic.” She adds, “I don’t have to sit with strangers on public transport.”
While Lime’s e-scooters can be parked on pavements—provided they’re neatly placed in approved zones—council-run schemes often require fixed docking stations. This distinction is evident in Salford, where Lime users must walk into Manchester city centre after parking by the river. TfGM’s Starling Bank Bikes, part of its Bee Network, operates in both cities, with a 32% rise in usage reported over the past year. The pedal bikes cost 50p to unlock and 5p per minute, while e-bikes are £1 to unlock and 10p per minute. Although subscriptions aren’t available, users can purchase minute bundles.
Competition is heating up. Companies like Dott and Voi also offer subscription models in cities such as Bath, Bristol, and Glasgow. One Dott plan costs £35 monthly, providing two free 30-minute e-bike rides daily. Yet, Lime and others continue to face challenges in UK cities. Residents often criticize the cost and accessibility of e-scooters and e-bikes, highlighting the need for smoother integration with traditional transport networks.
