Zhanghua

▲The Zhanghua County Government will cancel the first 30-minute free policy for YouBikes, which is expected to impact users. (Photo / Purple Smile)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

YouBikes in Zhanghua will no longer be free. Following Taipei City, the Zhanghua County Government announced that starting February 1, 2016, the first 30 minutes of YouBike rides will no longer be free. A rental fee of NT$5 will be charged upon borrowing a bike, while the pricing structure after 30 minutes remains unchanged. This change is expected to affect over 10,000 daily YouBike users in Zhanghua.

▲YouBikes have now become one of the common modes of transportation for many people. (Photo / Reporter Wang Zining, file photo)

The adjustment made by the Zhanghua County Government is mainly based on the “user pays” principle. The aim is to ensure that YouBikes are provided to those who truly need them by introducing a rental fee, thereby reducing misuse and abuse due to free rentals. However, whether this move will actually affect usage rates depends on public acceptance.