Lime launches micromobility equity scheme in Australia and New Zealand

Micromobility firm Lime has announced the launch of its ‘Lime Access’ programme across Australia and New Zealand – providing discounts of at least 50 percent on bike and e-scooter rides to support lower-income users.

In Australia, any Melbourne, Sydney or Gold Coast resident with a valid Health Care Card will be eligible and can apply online.

In New Zealand, the programme will be available for Lime riders in Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton, the Hutt Valley and Tauranga with a valid Community Services Card.

“Transport equity is a current concern in a number of our communities, so it is great to see this initiative from Lime to help make sustainable transport more accessible for more people,” said Christchurch Councillor Mike Davidson, Chair of the Urban Development and Transport Committee.

Expanding equity

To date, Lime has committed AUD$450,000 (US$327,000) to this effort in Australia and New Zealand, and has said that it will spread the word so that as many residents as possible take advantage of the programme, using advertising, in-app messaging, social media, Electronic Direct Mail (EDM) and leveraging local partnerships with organisations like Orange Sky and Good Cycles.

“All of us at Lime are proud to have provided the residents of the cities we serve with a safe and sustainable open-air form of transport throughout the pandemic,” said Hugo Burt-Morris, General Manager of Lime Australia and New Zealand.

“Now we are proud to make even deeper investments in Australia and New Zealand’s pandemic recovery and equitable transport efforts.”

Ride to Recovery

Lime is also expanding its Ride to Recovery initiative in both countries as part of a global push to help cities get moving again by encouraging people to get vaccinated.

Riders can upload their vaccination booking confirmation on Lime’s portal to receive two free rides (up to 15 minutes each) in order to travel to and from their appointment.

The firm is also communicating vaccine information to its users via in-app messaging and on its owned channels and has committed AUD$50,000 to this campaign in Australia and New Zealand.

Speaking on the initiatives, Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Sally Capp said: “We’re looking forward to seeing Melburnians benefit from these new schemes – delivering fairer pricing for riders and encouraging more people to get vaccinated so we can reopen our city.

“Vaccination levels across Australia have gradually increased in recent weeks, and last Friday Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the country would reopen its borders for the first time since March 2020, saying it was time “to give Australians their lives back.”

Image: Lime