File photo of oBikes parked at a bike rack in an HDB block. (Photo: Elizabeth Khor)
SINGAPORE: Bicycle sharing service oBike will stop operations in Singapore from Monday (Jun 25) because of difficulties in meeting the new requirements put in place by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to tackle indiscriminate parking.
"oBike is announcing its decision to cease operation in Singapore as a result of difficulties foreseen to be experienced to fulfil the new requirements and guidelines released by LTA towards dock-less bicycle sharing in Singapore," the company said.
oBike added that it strongly believes and is committed to provide dock-less bicycle sharing service that would benefit users’ commuting and Singapore’s transportation system, but regrets that "the new regulation measures do not favour this belief of ours".
The ceasing of oBike's operation is limited only to Singapore, and does not apply to its services in other countries.
A screengrab taken on Monday (Jun 25) of the oBike announcement on the app. (Photo: Aqil Haziq Mahmud)
Users who still wish to use oBike services in Singapore can continue to do so with GrabCycle, said oBike. Users are advised to contact GrabCycle directly for further enquiries regarding the respective oBike services, it added.
All oBike users who currently possess an oBike Super VIP membership will still be able to use oBike services in all other operating countries except for Singapore, said oBike.
The company also expressed its "sincerest appreciation to more than 1 million users" in Singapore that have supported its services since it was launched in January last year.
The LTA has set a Jul 7 deadline for bike-sharing firms to submit applications for a licence to operate in public places or cease operations.
More at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/obike-stops-operations-singapore-difficulties-lta-regulations-10466736
HAHAHAHA just in:
Bike-sharing operator oBike fined S$86,000 by town council
SINGAPORE — Beleaguered bike-sharing operator oBike has been slapped with fines amounting to S$86,000 in total by the Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council, ahead of the July 4 deadline imposed by Land Transport Authority to remove its fleet.
About 170 offence notices were pasted at oBike’s abandoned office on Monday (July 2) morning.
oBike had 14 days from the date of notice to settle each fine, and an instalment plan could be arranged if it is unable to pay the entire sum by the due date.
More at https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/bike-sharing-operator-obike-fined-s86000-town-council
Latest update: oBike working to refund deposits, remove fleet
SINGAPORE —Beleaguered bike-sharing operator oBike said on Sunday (July 1) it is working on a "solution to refund user deposits", adding that it is also focused on meeting a July 4 deadline set by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to remove its fleet.
In a statement on Sunday afternoon that was posted on its Facebook page, oBike said the refund process will be made known in due time "once…details are finalised". It gave no further information.
This is the first time the company has addressed the issue of its users' deposits directly, after it announced its sudden departure on Monday (June 25).
The issue of deposit refunds was the subject of its users' ire — the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) said on Thursday that it had received 772 complaints against oBike, a 28-fold spike from Monday when news first broke.
The bike operator also said that it is working with LTA "with an absolute focus" to remove its entire 14,000-strong fleet by July 4.
More at https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/obike-working-refund-deposits-remove-fleet
USELESS LTA CONVENIENTLY SHOVES AWAY PROBLEM OF AFFECTED OBIKE USERS SEEKING TO RECLAIM THEIR DEPOSITS TO TOOTHLESS CASE IN ULTRA LAME EXCUSE OF A MEDIA STATEMENT
The statement in full:
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) was informed this morning of oBike’s intention to cease bike-sharing operations in Singapore. LTA will be engaging oBike on their exit plans, including the removal of shared bicycles from public places.
It is a requirement under the Parking Places Act that all bicycle sharing operators (BSOs) must obtain a licence from LTA to operate in Singapore. The purpose of these stronger regulations is to ensure that bicycle-sharing services are operated in a manner that is sustainable and socially responsible, and to firmly address the issue of indiscriminate bicycle parking. The regulations were put in place after extensive consultation with the bicycle sharing industry, including oBike, over four months. Licence applications opened on May 8 and will close on July 7.
Affected consumers should make a request for the refund of their deposits or subscription fees with oBike if they have not already done so.
Those facing difficulties getting their refunds from oBike may wish to approach CASE through the following channels:
CASE Hotline – 61000315 (Operating hours: 9am to 5pm, Mondays to Fridays)
CASE Office – 170 Ghim Moh Road, Ulu Pandan Community Building, #05-01, Singapore 279621 (Operating hours: 9am to 4pm, Mondays to Saturdays)
CASE Online Submission: https://www.case.org.sg/complaint_onlinecomplaint.aspx
Lelong ah!!!!!!!! Bike dumpster site!!!!!!
Fret not, more bike operators are entering Stinkapore to contribute to the burgeoning bicycle cemetery here!
Tough luck. Saw this on oBike's FB page.
Looks like oBike users will not be getting back their deposits after all. My condolences.
Good riddance. Hope more bike sharing services go six feet under in the near future. Cheers.
Cheers to less trashiycles around!!!!!!