Daejeon Public Bicycle 'Tashu', Pilot Operation for Rental, Return, and Payment via App

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] A system that allows rental, return, and payment of the public bicycles ‘Tashu’ in the Daejeon area via a smartphone app will be pilot-operated in areas such as Dunsan and Yuseong.

On the 3rd, the city announced that the Tashu bicycles to be pilot-operated from that day will total 400 units, equipped with smart locks capable of GPS location tracking and functions that allow rental and return through a smartphone app.

In addition to the existing mobile phone micropayment method, payment options will be diversified by adding credit card and online simple payment methods. The services available via smartphone will be compatible with both Android and iOS operating systems.

These Tashu bicycles will initially be available in areas including Dunsan-dong, Wolpyeong-dong, and Tanbang-dong in Seo-gu, as well as Mannyeon-dong, Gung-dong, Bongmyeong-dong, and Eoeun-dong in Yuseong-gu. To this end, the city has prepared 40 rental and return zones in these areas.

The newly established rental and return zones also have the advantage of being installable at about one-quarter the cost of existing rental stations. The city plans to add about 1,000 more locations by the end of this year in densely populated residential areas, government offices, and shopping centers.

Furthermore, starting from February next year when the newly manufactured shared bicycles are delivered, the city will operate 2,500 new shared bicycles alongside the 2,305 bicycles currently deployed, enabling short-distance transportation services linked to transfer points such as bus stops and subway stations within 10 minutes during commuting hours.

Han Seon-hee, Director of the City’s Transportation and Construction Bureau, said, “Recently, Tashu has shown a declining usage trend every year due to the aging of the unmanned rental system and user inconvenience. Therefore, the city will completely improve the existing operating system to revitalize bicycle use as a short-distance transportation means and ensure that Tashu establishes itself as a short-distance lifestyle transportation option.”