Chiayi City's YouBike System Surpasses 10 Million Rides

Chiayi City's public bicycle system, YouBike, has achieved a significant milestone, recording over 10 million rides since its introduction five years ago. The city celebrated this achievement by awarding a prize to the 10 millionth rider.

Currently, Chiayi City operates 219 YouBike rental stations, deploying 2,036 public bicycles. These stations are strategically located to serve transportation transfer points, schools, commercial districts, tourist attractions, and residential areas, effectively enhancing mobility for residents and visitors, particularly for the "last mile" of their journeys.

Mayor Huang Min-hui highlighted the city's broader transportation goals, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive rail network. She stressed the importance of connecting the Taiwan Railways Administration, High-Speed Rail, Alishan Forest Railway, and other lines to create a "five-rail integration" vision. The mayor urged central government support for developing external rail links to high-speed rail stations, aiming to stimulate industrial, tourism, and regional development in the greater Chiayi area.

According to the city's Transportation Bureau, YouBike usage has seen exponential growth since its launch in 2020. The system reached 1 million rides in 2022 and 5 million in 2024 before crossing the 10 million mark this year. To further improve public transport, Chiayi City has been developing a tiered transportation structure, including a significant increase in low-floor electric bus ridership and the introduction of eight "Happiness Bus" routes to fill service gaps.

Liu Li-chu, Chairperson of YouBike, noted that Chiayi City was the first in Taiwan to introduce the YouBike 2.0E electric-assist bicycles. She stated that the city's successful YouBike implementation has become a national model, making public bicycles a convenient mode of transport and a key tool for exploring the city.