Source: OT-Team(G),北京青年报; 光明网 Recently, "Bike-sharing Price Hikes" has become a trending topic on Weibo, as the cost of bike-sharing services has quadrupled over the past eight years.
Rising Base Fares Across Multiple Cities
In cities like Chengdu, Guangzhou, and Wuhan, brands such as Hellobike and Qingju have adjusted their base fare for weekdays from "1.5 yuan for the first 15 minutes" to "1.5 yuan for the first 10 minutes." After the initial 10 minutes, the rate is 1 yuan for every 15 minutes. Consequently, the cost for an hour's ride has increased from 4.5 yuan to 5.5 yuan. Notably, the starting fare on holidays and weekends in Guangzhou and Chengdu is 1.8 yuan. Cities like Nanjing, Wuhan, and Xi'an have adopted similar weekday and weekend fare structures. One user reported that riding a Hellobike in Chengdu now costs 1.8 yuan for the first 10 minutes on holidays, followed by 1 yuan for every 15 minutes, bringing the total to approximately 5.8 yuan per hour, which is significantly higher than a few years ago. Meanwhile, Beijing's bike-sharing market has maintained a relatively stable pricing structure, with the base fare set at 1.5 yuan for the first 30 minutes since 2019.Cost Comparisons: Biking vs. Public Transit Since the first internet-based bike-sharing company was established in 2014, the industry has evolved over the past decade. User feedback has shifted from early praise of "cheap and convenient" to current complaints of "increasingly unaffordable." In the early days of 2015 and 2016, bike-sharing was remarkably inexpensive, with rides costing only 0.5 yuan per half hour or even per hour. However, as the industry consolidated and costs rose, companies began adjusting their pricing strategies. Initially, the fare of 1 yuan per 30 minutes has generally risen to 1.5 yuan, with some companies reducing the base fare duration to 15 or even 10 minutes. In certain areas, the cost for a one-hour ride has reached nearly 6 yuan. Users have mixed reactions to the price hikes. Some appreciate the convenience that bike-sharing offers, especially in areas not well-served by buses and subways, and are willing to pay the higher prices. Others, however, question whether the increased prices negate the economic advantage of bike-sharing. One user remarked, "I calculated the cost: a 30-minute ride from home to work costs 3.5 yuan on a shared bike, compared to 2 yuan by bus. Over time, the difference adds up." This has led to frequent discussions online about whether bike-sharing has become more expensive than public transport.Industry Insider Comments Industry insiders explain that many cities have recently updated their bike fleets, sometimes requiring complete replacements. This is to ensure a better user experience and compliance with city regulations and refined operational demands. Upgraded models, enhanced staffing, and improved support facilities inevitably lead to higher costs. Initially, new platforms often use low prices to attract and capture the market, but for long-term viability, they must adjust to sustainable market rates. Before implementing price increases, bike-sharing companies likely conducted internal assessments to balance profitability without overly burdening users.
No comments:
Post a Comment