Pingtung Pbike completes 20 stations; bike pick-up and return take just 3 seconds

Reporter You T-Ru / Comprehensive report




Pingtung Pbike. (Photo / Provided by Pingtung County Government)

Currently, the hardware equipment for the rental stations and 450 bicycles have all been put in place. To generate enthusiasm for Pbike usage and improve turnover rates, three trial ride events will be held before official operations begin, inviting students, professional cycling groups, senior citizens, and public welfare and business groups to participate in rides.

Kuo Yao-lin, manager of the Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation’s Operations Department, stated that each Pbike unit costs NT$8,000, which is not only more affordable than Taipei’s Youbike, but also offers greater safety and comfort. Rentals can be made using a credit card or by purchasing an EasyCard at a convenience store, then completing the card activation process by entering personal information at the station’s control console. Bike pick-up and return take just 3 seconds, and the first half-hour of use is free, making it more convenient than Kaohsiung City’s public bicycle system.

The 20 rental station locations include the County Government Station, Pingtung Railway Station (Tangrong Elementary School Station), Pingtung Night Market Station, Art Museum Station, Labor Recreation Center Station, Pingtung City Hall Station, Pingtung University Business School Station, Pingtung Girls’ High School Station, Cultural Affairs Bureau Station, Environmental Protection Bureau Station, Pingtung University Lin Sen Station, Performing Arts Center Station, Jade Emperor Temple Station, General’s House Station, Baseball Stadium Station, Social Welfare Hall Station, Zhongzheng Art Gallery Station, Chonglan Environmental Park Station, Chungda New City Station, and Zhongxiao Elementary School Station. The first four stations are also equipped with 1-to-8 card readers that can handle multiple simultaneous bike rentals and returns. The public bicycle system is expected to officially launch in December, and the public is encouraged to make use of it.