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
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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