Taipei YouBike nears 400 millionth ride; big prize for milestone rider

Taipei, Aug. 14 (CNA) Taipei's bicycle rental system YouBike is expected to log its 400 millionth ride this week, with the lucky rider set to receive NT$20,000 (US$666.32) in gift vouchers, while the five riders before and after will each get NT$1,000 in gift vouchers, the city's Department of Transportation said Thursday.

Launched in August 2012, the public bike rental service reached 100 million rides in April 2018, 200 million three and a half years later, and 300 million after another two and a half years, the department said in a statement.

The public bicycle service has currently recorded over 399.8 million rides and the 400 millionth ridership is expected to take place this week.

To celebrate this milestone, the department, in cooperation with the operator Giant's Smile Bike Co., will also hold prize draws for 40 additional gifts on the YouBike Greater Taipei Facebook fan page.

The department said that once the 400 millionth ride is reached, the list of winners will be announced on the Smile Bike website and the YouBike Greater Taipei Facebook page.

Winners will be notified by phone and text message but no calls will be made requesting bank transfers, it noted, adding that the public should stay alert to avoid scams.

Since reinstating the first 30 minutes free policy last year, daily average YouBike ridership has jumped by 53 percent to around 200,000.

The city will continue expanding the service and aims to have 2,000 stations and 4,500 YouBike 2.0E electric-assist bikes by 2026, as part of its 2050 net-zero carbon plan, according to the department.

In addition, the department announced that it has also launched a revamped "Taipei Haoxing" app integrating real-time information for city buses, MRT, Taiwan railways, high-speed rail, intercity buses and YouBike.