[Suwon Ilbo = Reporter Seo Dong-young] To minimize inconvenience to citizens caused by the suspension of bike-sharing service 'Mobike,' Suwon City will conduct a pilot operation of 750 bicycles from a domestic company A for the month of October.
Company A has a business location within the city, and its bike-sharing operating system is similar to the previously operated Mobike system. Company A's bicycles are yellow in color.
Using a smartphone, users can conveniently rent and return GPS-equipped bicycles at bicycle parking spaces located throughout the city.
To use the bike-sharing service, users must install an app. They can download it by scanning the QR code attached to the bicycle. Company A's app is currently available only on the Android operating system.
Activating the app displays a map showing the location of nearby bicycles. Users can find a bicycle, scan the QR code attached to it with their smartphone, unlock it, and use it. When finished, users can click the 'lock' button on the app and engage the bicycle lock.
The service is free throughout October during the pilot operation period. Starting in November, a fee structure equivalent to Mobike's rates (500 won for 20 minutes) will be applied.
The city's 'unmanned bike-sharing service without stations,' which was introduced in January of last year through private sector operations, ended service as of the 30th of last month. Bike-sharing company 'Mobike' decided to completely withdraw from overseas operations and consequently ceased operations in Suwon City.
The city prepared alternative plans by contacting domestic bike-sharing companies starting in early this year to prepare for Mobike's suspension of overseas operations.
A city official stated, "We will make every effort to ensure that bike-sharing services can operate smoothly again."
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