|
The Dublin Bike Scheme is being lauded as a 'huge success'
just 11 months after it began and as the one millionth trip
was taken on Saturday night, 14th August.
Labour Councillor Andrew Montague, who first proposed the
scheme, said - "Our target was to sign up 2,000 members
in the first year - but, in less than a year, we've signed
up 37,000 members."
The Dublin City Council member said the scheme will get even
better with the introduction of more bikes and more stations.
Mr Montague said there are hopes to extend the scheme across
the capital and even into the suburbs. While acknowledging
that this may take several years to achieve, the councillor
said - "Dublin
Bikes has proved itself to be an essential part of
public transport and it makes sense to spread the benefits
right across the city."
The initiative was launched in September 2009 by Dublin City
Council in conjunction with French advertising giant, JCDEcaux,
who funds the operation in return for advertising space.
The 450 silver unisex bicycles are available for use by the
public at 40 locations from the Mater Hospital in the north
of the city to Grand Canal Street in the south, from 5.30am
to 12.30am.
The scheme is designed to encourage cycling and to help people
move around the city streets quickly. A short journey lasting
30 minutes is free - six hours costs €4.50 and it is €2 for
every half-hour after that.
Would-be cyclists also need to leave €150 deposit using either
a credit card or a bank draft, which will be used if the bike
is not returned.
So far, there has only been one day that saw bikes not being
available for hire. In June, the system experienced a technical
fault with the terminals, which meant that no one was able
to hire a bike for a few hours.
The scheme is similar to the one that has been operating
in Paris, Copenhagen and 16 other cities.
|
