Grab Ventures and NUS launch e-scooter service at Singapore campus

Grab Ventures has launched a three-month electric scooter pilot at the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) Kent Ridge campus for three months.

The subsidiary of technology firm Grab says it offers a green transportation option for NUS staff and students.

The scooters are available at eight parking locations on the campus. Grab intends to increase this number to 30 by the end of December.

Professor Yong Kwet Yew, NUS senior vice president, says the partnership provides a last-mile transportation option and also offers research opportunities to develop mobility solutions.

Grab and NUS will study how commuters use the e-scooters to gain a better understanding of how the technology can address transportation needs.

The company is also piloting its GrabWheels Beta app which allows users to unlock and use the e-scooters.  

Riders will pay a special rate of S$0.20 (£0.11) for every 30 minutes of use and all journeys include insurance coverage, at no additional cost, the company adds.

Upon reaching the destination, the app directs users to return the e-scooter to the nearest parking location – where it can be locked by scanning a QR code at the parking locations. Grab’s operation team will collect, recharge and return the vehicles to their original parking location for use the next day.

Grab is providing in-app messages to users which include safe riding advice while a 24/7 support team is available to offer assistance with any issues.

In July, Grab and NUS announced a partnership to develop %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external smart cities false http://www.itsinternational.com/categories/utc/news/grab-and-nus-set-up-ai-lab-in-singapore-to-make-cities-smarter/ false false%> in South-east Asia. The partnership unveiled an artificial intelligence laboratory to help solve challenges such as congestion and the liveability of cities in the region.