Department of Transportation

Taipei City’s YouBike trial-run will wrap up at the end of November. As estimated by Giant Bicycles, the operating workforce, according to the current frequency of use, the total number of uses will soon hit a record high of one million and make history regarding Taipei’s new riding miracle. The general manager of Giant Bicycles, Ho You-Ren, noted that “The 2nd generation YouBike has become a smash hit among Taipei citizens within the short two and a half month period since it was launched on August 30th, with the use reaching 590,000 times. By combining the three years of operation in the Xinyi District, the total use has reached 930,000. Hence, prior to the end of the trial period, the one million mark should be achieved. To respond to citizens’ support, the operating workforce has added the service hotline and night owl shift service in an attempt to provide citizens with even better services”.
As indicated by Giant Bicycles, in addition to the regular citizen hotline 1999 ext. YouBike service center, it has also added an exclusive customer hotline 02-89785084, to provide prompt troubleshooting service for citizens. At the same time, in order to make the use of YouBike even more conveniently, “bike return guidemarks” are added and will be demonstrated at two rental stations:Sanzhangli and Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall as of December, which will make it easier for citizens to return their bikes. Giant Bicycles’ general manager, Ho You-Ren, added that, “during the two-plus months of trial-run, our workforce has continued to upgrade the software and hardware in accordance with the actual utilization status and citizens’ feedback with the aim of offering the best service to citizens. For the customer hotline added this time, exclusive service personnel are available daily from 7:00 to 22:00 to answer the phone, whereas the voice messaging system is in use from 22:00 until 7:00 the next day. Also, starting from December, bike return guidemarks will be added at the demonstration rental stations to help more citizens learn the correct way to use YouBike and, in the end, make YouBike a part of the citizens’ life.”
In addition to reinforcing its service, Giant Bicycles also considerately reminds people of the correct operation steps when borrowing and returning their bike, including: checking the tire pressure, light, brakes, saddle, etc., for abnormalities before renting, in order to ensure riding safety.When returning the bike, remember to swipe the membership card again when the bike slot’s blue light is blinking and make sure the green light is on before leaving, to avoid unnecessary payment. Furthermore, Giant Bicycles urges people to cherish public property. If all slots are taken (i.e., no vacant slot available for bike return), do not just leave the bike at the station; instead, use the station’s Kiosk (auto service machine) and select the “No vacant slot” function to add an additional 30 minutes of time for free. Then you may wait for a vacant slot, or ride to a nearby rental station to return it. Before renting a bike, it is recommended that you utilize the station enquiry service provided by the city government and YouBike operating workforce, to minimize the trouble of running into the situation of no bike available for renting or no slot available for returning. You may download the “Fun Travel in Taipei” App on your smart phone, select “YouBike”, and then select a specific stationon the map to enquire the real-time bike availability status, or make a “rental station enquiry” at the Kiosk of a rental station, or visit the YouBike’s official website and click “Station Map” to enquire. It is hoped that, with the joint participation, more citizens will enjoy the fun of leisure riding around the city and together, help build Taipei as the most environmentally friendly and low-carbon green city.
YouBike official website: www.youbike.com.tw
YouBike e-mail address: service@youbike.com.tw
YouBike service hotlines: 1999 ext. YouBike Service Center, or 02-89785084

2012-12-21