Forest scored highest overall on Richmond's criteria, including service quality, user cost, and value to taxpayers. Lime users have been invited to attend Monday evening's transport and air quality committee meeting to speak directly to councillors about why they use Lime and how losing access would affect them. 5 million trips in Richmond in 2025, a 50% increase from the previous year, and currently operates a fleet of 500 bikes, though more are often seen during peak periods.
Forest has secured exclusive operating rights in neighbouring Kingston and Sutton and was selected as one of the operators replacing Lime in Hounslow. Richmond Council accused Lime of 'corporate bullying' and 'astroturf lobbying' and issued a cease-and-desist letter last month, alleging the company contacted residents to promote a petition calling on councillors to reverse their decision. The specific financial details of the bids submitted by Lime and Forest to Richmond Council have not been disclosed, nor have the exact criteria and weighting used by the council to evaluate them.
This model will bring clear benefits for riders in the borough [Richmond], while the continued expansion of Forest's network will strengthen connectivity across the capital.
It remains unclear whether councillors will follow the officers' recommendation to award the contract solely to Forest or consider a two-operator model.