In a recent legal battle over shared mobility services in Brussels, the court has ruled against Voi, a popular e-scooter operator. This decision means Voi will no longer be allowed too operate in the Belgian capital.
The dispute arose last december when Brussels Mobility, the city’s transportation authority, chose Bolt and Dott as the only authorized operators for shared scooters, bikes, and e-scooters. Voi and Lime, another e-scooter company, challenged this decision in court.
While a court initially granted Voi a temporary reprieve, allowing them to continue operating until the end of their existing license in January 2024, the latest ruling has put an end to their operations in Brussels.
“Calls for applications were indeed the only means of obtaining a new cycle sharing license and that Voi thus no longer had a license to operate scooters,” the Brussels court of frist instance stated in its order.
“Calls for applications were indeed the only means of obtaining a new cycle sharing license and that Voi therefore no longer had a license to operate scooters.”
Brussels Court of First Instance
This decision marks a significant shift in the shared mobility landscape of Brussels, leaving Bolt and Dott as the sole providers of these services for the foreseeable future.
Brussels is taking decisive action to curb the proliferation of shared electric scooters, ordering the removal of Voi scooters from its streets. This move comes as part of a broader effort to regulate the burgeoning micromobility sector and ensure a more harmonious coexistence between scooters, pedestrians, and other users of public spaces.
The Brussels-mobility agency, responsible for managing the city’s transportation network, announced that Voi, one of the largest scooter operators in the Belgian capital, will soon be required to withdraw its entire fleet. “This is good news and one more step towards efficient cycle sharing that is respectful of all users of public spaces,” said Elke Van den Brandt, Brussels Minister of Mobility.
“The message sent to operators is clear: they are welcome if they respect the framework put in place.”
The removal of Voi’s scooters is expected to reduce the overall number of shared scooters in Brussels by approximately 3,000, bringing the total fleet closer to the city’s target of 8,000. This reduction aims to alleviate concerns about scooter clutter and ensure pedestrian safety.
Brussels has been grappling with the challenges posed by the rapid growth of scooter-sharing services. In 2023, the city undertook a extensive review of its regulatory framework for micromobility, seeking to strike a balance between promoting lasting transportation options and addressing public concerns.
Currently, Brussels has approximately 12,400 self-service scooters operating within its borders. The city’s goal is to achieve a more sustainable and manageable scooter population through continued regulation and collaboration with operators.
The decision to remove Voi scooters underscores Brussels’ commitment to creating a more livable and pedestrian-friendly urban habitat. By carefully managing the number of scooters and ensuring operator compliance with regulations, the city aims to foster a harmonious coexistence between various modes of transportation.
## Brussels Court strikes Down Voi, Shifting Shared Mobility Landscape
**World Today News:** Today, we’re joined by Dr. Amelia Sanchez, a transportation policy expert at the University of Brussels, to discuss the recent court decision regarding shared mobility services in the city and its implications. Dr. Sanchez, thanks for joining us.
**Dr. Sanchez:** Thank you for having me.
**World Today News:** So, the court has ruled against Voi, effectively ending their operations in Brussels. Can you walk us through the background of this dispute?
**Dr. Sanchez:** Certainly. This case stems from a December 2022 decision by Brussels Mobility, the city’s transportation authority, to award exclusive operating licenses for shared bikes and e-scooters to Bolt and Dott. Voi and Lime, who were already operating in the city, contested this decision, arguing that it lacked transparency and unfairly excluded them from the market.
**World Today News:** Voi initially received a temporary reprieve from the court, allowing them to continue operating until January 2024.What changed?
**Dr. Sanchez:** The court’s latest ruling emphasizes that the onyl way for companies to obtain a new license for shared cycling services,including e-scooters,was through the official call for applications. Since Voi did not secure a license in this process, their previous authorization expired. Essentially, the court upheld Brussels Mobility’s right to determine the operators within the city’s shared mobility framework.
**World Today News:** What are the immediate implications of this ruling for Voi and for the shared mobility landscape in Brussels?
**Dr.Sanchez:**
For Voi, this decision means withdrawing from the Brussels market, representing a significant loss for the company. For the wider shared mobility scene, it implies a more consolidated landscape with Bolt and Dott wielding greater control. This could potentially lead to concerns about reduced competition, potentially impacting pricing and service availability for Brussels residents.
**World Today News:** Looking forward, what lessons can we learn from this case?
**dr. Sanchez:** This case highlights the complexities surrounding shared mobility regulation. Cities are grappling with balancing the desire to encourage innovative transportation solutions with the need to ensure fair competition and responsible operation. Clear and inclusive licensing processes are crucial to building a enduring shared mobility ecosystem that benefits both companies and citizens.
**World Today News:**
Dr. Sanchez, thank you for sharing your insights on this crucial issue. For our viewers, we’ll continue to follow developments in the Brussels shared mobility sector and provide updates on any further legal or regulatory changes.
