Public bicycle share scheme Mol Bubi to get revamp next year

The public bicycle sharing scheme MOL Bubi will be revamped next year, with the introduction of a new smartphone app, bikes that are easier to pedal, and a more flexible pricing system among the planned changes, the Budapest transport centre BKK said on Friday.

BKK and the municipal council have decided to improve the operation of the scheme from 2021 in order to boost cost efficiency and ensure that bicycle sharing becomes an effective part of city transport.

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The bikes will be equipped with improved tyres and smart locks, and Budapest public transport pass-holders will get a discount for using the bicycles.

Hungarian oil and gas company MOL, the scheme’s main sponsor, said it plans to remain an active partner.

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The scheme introduced in Budapest in 2014 currently operates 2,071 bikes at 157 points.

The fee for using the bicycles has been reduced temporarily to 100 forints (EUR 0.3) a month in light of the novel coronavirus epidemic, and the number of registered users has increased to over 100,000.