Bike rental program delivers lower cost, improved service
Print Edition
About 30,000 new cards for the district’s public bike-borrowing program have been issued since the scheme was revamped in September.
That’s a fraction of the 230,000 old cards that expired on November 1, but district officials said they are not surprised.
In fact, the transition has weeded out many cardholders who weren’t using the bikes.
The new cards require a deposit of 300 yuan (US$49) as a safeguard against lost or damaged equipment. Residents may apply for the card at any Minhang branch of the Agricultural Bank of China. The new program also stipulates fines for those who violate the rules of borrowing the bikes.
On the whole, according to the Minhang Construction and Transportation Committee that oversees the program, the transition to the new card has gone well.
The program changes are an attempt to address the rising cost of the old program, primarily due to maintenance and stolen bikes.
There are already 15 cases of “no-return” bikes since October, according to Yongjiu Co, which handles the program for the committee. Those who fail to return bikes on time will have five yuan deducted from their deposit for every overdue day.
Borrowers are reminded of overdue status via text messages, phone calls and registered letters.
Many residents have praised the new program because of approved services. Some people say there are fewer malfunctioning bikes now and more bicycles available at key sites, such as Metro stations.
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