Bus or Lime bike? New subscription heats up the race for a cheaper commute

James, a 23-year-old in Salford, Greater Manchester, recently completed his 15-minute commute home from work. Rather than taking a bus, tram, or train, he opted for an electric scooter. “I get to avoid the rush hour and being packed in like a sardine,” he says, highlighting the convenience of the ride. For him, the financial benefit is equally appealing. “£4 on your commute a day isn’t bad, especially with the current cost of living crisis,” he adds. His experience reflects a growing trend among young city dwellers who rely on shared electric scooters and bikes, often operated by US-based Lime, to navigate urban spaces.

Cost-effective alternatives emerge

Lime’s latest initiative, LimePrime, launched in late February, introduces a monthly subscription model. Riders in Salford, Nottingham, London, Oxford, and Milton Keynes can enjoy a fixed price for the first 20 minutes of each trip, with discounted rates for additional time. This approach targets frequent users, aiming to make electric scooters and bikes as affordable as traditional public transport. In Salford, the subscription costs £2.99 per month, offering £1.50 for the initial 20-minute segment—cheaper than a single bus ticket to Manchester, which runs £2, or a tram fare of £2.80.

“The idea here is that we’re trying to reward our most regular riders and also incentivise increasing use,” explains Hal Stevenson, Lime’s director of policy. He notes that many commuters in London use electric scooters to reach railway stations before boarding trains. “It’s fixed basically at the same price as a bus, but it’s much faster and more convenient because you can just pick up an individual e-bike or e-scooter and go.”

While Lime has faced criticism for higher prices in the past, the new subscription model seeks to address this. For instance, Paige, a 22-year-old student at the University of Salford, considers LimePrime for her twice-weekly commute to Manchester. “It’s basically the same price as a bus—£2 at most,” she says. “Plus, it takes me straight from my door to town, avoiding traffic.” Her preference underscores the appeal of door-to-door convenience, a factor often overlooked by public transport options.

Fragmented systems and practical challenges

Lime’s e-scooters and bikes can be parked on pavements, provided users do so neatly in designated areas. This flexibility contrasts with council-run bike hire schemes, which typically require docking stations. However, this week’s sightings of Lime scooters in Salford reveal a limitation: the service doesn’t extend to Manchester city centre. Commuters from Salford must walk the final leg into Manchester after parking by the river that separates the two areas. TfGM’s Starling Bank Bikes, part of its Bee Network, operates in both cities but charges 50p to unlock and 5p per minute for pedal bikes, while e-bikes start at £1 to unlock and 10p per minute.

Despite these disparities, Starling’s usage has grown by 32% over the past year. Other operators, such as Dott and Voi, also offer subscription services. Dott’s commuter plan, for example, costs £35 monthly and provides two free 30-minute e-bike rides daily in cities like Bath, Bristol, and Glasgow. Yet, challenges persist. Residents in areas with Lime’s services often voice concerns about inconsistent pricing and fragmented networks, which can deter them from switching to electric mobility.