Report of the Managing Director to ask Cabinet to award the contract for the operation of a bike share scheme.

The Managing Director introduced the report and explained that the recommendation to Cabinet was to appoint Beryl as the provider.  There had been an extensive procurement process and Beryl were an innovative company with an experienced top team who had managed the technology introduction of the London Santander bike scheme.  The scheme would be implemented from March 2020 on the basis of a four year contract with the option to extend for a further two years.  The model covered Watford and also out to Warner Brothers Leavesden and Croxley Business Park.  There would be 300 bikes available comprising 200 pedal bikes and 100 e-bikes.  With regards to pricing, it was a very flexible scheme and reasonably priced.  The bike hubs would be innovative with a mix of stations based on internet tracking and physical bike hubs to enable locking of the bikes but which also looked attractive in the public realm.

The Mayor commented that there would be partnership working as the bike share scheme would be involved with the cycle hub.

Cabinet discussed the scheme and it was explained that there would be detailed mapping on where the bikes would be located across the Borough.  Beryl had included an assumption about the number of hubs and their locations, if Cabinet wanted a greater span than this may need to be added to the tender figure.  The expectation would be that everyone in the Borough would be able to access a hub in reasonable walking distance.

Cabinet continued discussions around support from Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) and pressing them to support the scheme by getting a cycle network in place which was properly signposted.  The Mayor explained that the Managing Director was arranging a meeting with HCC to discuss major projects.  HCC had been on the procurement panel for the bike hire scheme and saw the project as pioneering and a way forward for sustainable transport.

Cabinet commented that there needed to be support from central government to change transport modes to enable a decent quality of life.  The Mayor commented that although the metropolitan line extension was not going ahead the disused rail line had not been forgotten and work was still ongoing to improve connectivity.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

1.        Awards the contract for the operation of a bike share scheme in Watford to Smidsy Ltd trading as Beryl for a period of 4 years with an option for an additional 2 years.

2.        Notes that it is intended that the bike share scheme will commence operating from 30 March 2020.