Taiwan Immigrants' Global News Network-“A Real Bargain!” Kaohsiung YouBike 2.0 to offer free 30-minute rides until end of September 2020

(Source: YouBike)

“A small but certain Happiness!” The trial run of YouBike 2.0 System would be brought forward to June 16, according to the Director-General of the Transportation Bureau of Kaohsiung City Government Cheng Yung-Hsiang. Citizens will be provided with free rides for the first 30 minutes until the end of September 2020 so that they may have a chance to experience a more convenient public bike rental service of higher quality.

City Mayor Han Kuo-Yu reviewed the construction schedule of YouBike 2.0 Public Bike System on May 21 and announced that the trial run of the service would be brought forward to June 16 from July 1. Councilor Huang Xiang-Shu asked the transportation department of TBKC about this issue during the interpellation session host at the Kaohsiung City Council on May 29. Director-General Cheng Yung-Hsiang said that the YouBike 2.0 System would start its trial run from June 16 and would offer citizens free rides for the first 30 minutes until the end of September 2020.

Cheng Yung-Hsiang pointed out that Kaohsiung YouBike 2.0 Public Bike System adopts the lightweight docking system that does not need electricity, making its deployment more flexible. The system allows more bikes to be available for use, provides citizens with more convenient and comfortable rides, and makes it easier to pick up and return bikes. Since the contract was concluded in March, the construction team has been carrying out inspections and works actively at full speed. It is expected that 175 rental stations will be set up in mid-June, and the number will achieve 250 by its official launch on July 1. According to the planned schedule, all former C-bike rental stations will be fully upgraded to YouBike 2.0 System by September 1.

The Transportation Bureau stated that the membership registration for the YouBike 2.0 is already available on the official website. The “Kaohsiung YouBike 2.0 Public Bike System” allows users to pick up and return bikes directly using the solar-powered display on the smart bikes.

In other words, citizens do not need to line up at the kiosk as each docking station allows many people to pick up and return bikes at the same time. Users can rent the bikes by either using iPass/EasyCard or scanning QR code, and may register up to five iPass/EasyCard for one account rather than only one card. Moreover, the saddle height of the three-speed bikes can be easily adjusted with one hand, providing users with intuitive and convenient biking experience.

(All rental stations of Kaohsiung YouBike. Source: YouBike)