LTA scuppers national bicycle-sharing plans as privately-funded firms emerge

THE Singapore government is pulling the plug on a planned national bicycle-sharing system, as privately-funded dockless bicycle-sharing services start to roll out on Singapore's streets.

In the middle of last year, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said that it would issue two bicycle-sharing tenders. They will help construct a national bicycle-sharing scheme of 2,300 bicycles and 230 docking stations across three locations.

It was scheduled to kick off in Jurong Lake District by the end of 2017.

But a third bicycle-sharing company, Chinese firm Mobike, launched in Singapore this week. China-based ofo started operations last month, while local venture oBike began in January.

"LTA has therefore reassessed its bicycle-sharing plans, and decided not to award the Jurong Lake District bicycle-sharing tender," the agency said in a Friday release.

The tender that LTA had issued in July last year had closed in December 2016. It attracted a total of 13 bids from local and foreign participants. The proposals were a mix of both docked and dockless bicycle-sharing systems.

"The ongoing plans by the private dockless bicycle-sharing system operators have obviated the need for a government-run system backed by government grants. The price proposals submitted by all 13 participants of the tender will be unopened," said LTA.

"LTA will continue to monitor developments in the bicycle-sharing landscape, and introduce new plans if necessary."

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