News

A new study commissioned by Transport East and supported by CoMoUK has identified opportunities to expand shared mobility services – including car clubs, micromobility (bike and scooter share schemes), lift sharing, and demand-responsive transport – across Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex.

The full report is available here: Shared Transport: Existing Shared Mobility schemes and potential for future schemes

The research highlights how shared mobility can play an important role in connecting people to jobs, education, healthcare, and leisure opportunities sustainably. It can work in both urban and rural areas, supporting people who don’t own a car, bike, or scooter, as well as those who want to use their private vehicle less.

Car Clubs

The study found considerable potential to expand car club provision across the region. As of September 2025, there were just 69 car club vehicles operating across the East, with 39 located in Norwich alone.

The research identifies opportunities to grow existing provision in locations including Norwich, Chelmsford, Colchester, and Ipswich, while also highlighting strong potential demand in areas such as Southend-on-Sea, Brentwood, and parts of Epping.

Micromobility (bike and scooter¹ hire)

The study also examined opportunities for shared micromobility services. Currently, three bike share schemes and two e-scooter schemes operate successfully across the region, with Beryl in Norfolk reaching two million journeys in August 2025. The findings suggest that on-street shared micromobility services could be viable in King’s Lynn, Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft, Ipswich, Southend-on-Sea, Basildon, and Harlow.

Andrew Summers, CEO of Transport East, said: “Our new evidence shows there is significant potential for shared mobility to make every day journeys easier across our towns, cities, rural, and coastal communities. Shared transport services can provide a practical and affordable alternative to connect people to opportunities while reducing reliance on private car ownership.

“We now have a clear picture of where different forms of shared transport could be successfully introduced or expanded across the region. The next step is to work closely with local authorities and partners to turn this evidence into action and progress schemes that meet the needs of local communities. I would like to thank CoMoUK for their support and expertise throughout this project, which has been instrumental in helping us better understand the opportunities for shared mobility across the East.”

Patrick Utz, Head of Consultancy and Research at CoMoUK, said: “It has been great to work with Transport East. We have been able to give them a comprehensive overview of what shared transport can achieve in the East. The region already hosts some of the most advanced car club and shared micromobility schemes in the UK. At the same time, our report showed that options like lift sharing, demand responsive transport or community transport can enhance accessibility even in very challenging, rural set ups.

I look forward to seeing how decision makers across the East will build on our recommendations to spread the social, environmental and economic benefits of shared transport even further. The publication of central government’s ‘Better Connected’ strategy and the English Devolution Act present a great window of opportunity for doing so.”

The next phase of work will focus on Transport East supporting local authorities to turn the evidence into expanded and new shared mobility schemes. Key priorities include:

• Supporting councils to engage with accredited operators.
• Encouraging employers to promote lift sharing.
• Integrating shared transport with public transport at mobility hubs.
• Strengthening the evidence base around demand-responsive and community transport services.

 

¹ Scooter trials referred to in the report are ones approved by the DfT