M3 renovation set to boost bike-share scheme
wikimedia
Budapestʼs bicycle-sharing system was used about 645,000 times last year, down slightly from 652,000 in 2015, business daily Világgazdaság reported Tuesday. The network has expanded to 124 docking stations and 1,486 bicycles since its launch in the fall of 2014.
In its first year of operation, the non-profit system was used 815,000 times, the schemeʼs operator Center for Budapest Transport (BKK) said earlier.
The cost of operating the system, dubbed "MOL Bubi" after the Hungarian oil and gas giant that set it up, comes to almost HUF 260 million a year, BKK told Világgazdaság. MOL covers more than half of that cost, it added. Fees for using the system generate about HUF 70 mln in revenues annually.
Some 50,000 users have registered in the system so far, with the operator estimating around 100,000 people have tried the service.
The most popular stations are at Jászai Mari tér, Erzsébet tér, Kálvin tér, Fővám tér, Városháza Park and Szent Gellért tér, while the most popular periods for borrowing bikes are typically between 7.30 a.m. and 9.30 a.m. and between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays, as well as on Friday and Saturday evenings.
BKK said it expects MOL Bubi usage to climb this winter as the M3 metro line undergoes renovation.
MOL Bubi bicycles are assembled by Budapest-based bicycle maker Csepel Kerékpárgyártó. The procurement cost of each bicycle is HUF 230,000.
ADVERTISEMENT
Hungary Agricultural Output Value Grows by 6.5%
Hungarian-American Business Chamber Established in Chicago
Number of Registered Jobseekers Down 3% in November
Mulled Version of Belle-Vue Kriek Makes Debut at Advent Fair
SUPPORT THE BUDAPEST BUSINESS JOURNAL
Producing journalism that is worthy of the name is a costly business. For 27 years, the publishers, editors and reporters of the Budapest Business Journal have striven to bring you business news that works, information that you can trust, that is factual, accurate and presented without fear or favor.
Newspaper organizations across the globe have struggled to find a business model that allows them to continue to excel, without compromising their ability to perform. Most recently, some have experimented with the idea of involving their most important stakeholders, their readers.
We would like to offer that same opportunity to our readers. We would like to invite you to help us deliver the quality business journalism you require. Hit our Support the BBJ button and you can choose the how much and how often you send us your contributions.
