MOL Bubi will cease to operate on Sunday at 23:59, it will not be possible to pick up a bicycle at any of the 158 collection stations from Monday, the Budapest Transport Center told MTI on Saturday. They added: the public bike system will be renewed in the spring.
The public bike system, which started in 2014 with 1,100 apple-green bicycles and 76 collection stations, now operates with 2,071 bicycles and 158 collection stations.
In six years, people have traveled about three million times with public bikes, covering a total of about 6 million kilometers. Thanks to the moderate monthly fee of one hundred forints and online registration due to the coronavirus epidemic, many new travelers used MOL Bubi this year, and the number of their customers exceeded one hundred thousand in 2020, they noted.
It was emphasized in the announcement that the public procurement necessary for the launch of the new system will be completed in the coming months, and MOL Bubi will return to Budapest in a more modern and efficient manner next spring.
There will be 1,200 new, lighter bikes than the current ones, the number of which will be expanded by an additional 360. These will be fitted with puncture-resistant, inflated tires, making it easier and faster to travel than current sponge-hose wheels.
The service provider also introduces a flexible tariff system in which those with a BKK season ticket can expect significant discounts. A new IT background and a user-friendly, new application are also being developed for operation for an easier and faster use.
The operating model will also change, but the current service area, the available 158 collection stations and the parking function will remain unchanged. With the new system, BKK will also be able to introduce virtual collection stations, the possibility of which will be examined by the company on demand.
According to BKK, in the last six years, passengers traveling with MOL Bubi have protected Budapest from about one million kilograms of carbon dioxide emitted, during which time the public bicycle system has generated one billion forints in social benefits.
mti
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