Transport Ministry targets licencing bike-sharing operators

Under the proposed licensing regime, LTA will manage the size of operator’s fleet by setting a maximum number of devices an operator can own.

The Ministry of Transport (MOT) has proposed amendments to the Parking Places Act (PPA) to implement a licensing regime for operators that provide dockless sharing active mobility devices (i.e. bicycles, personal mobility devices and power-assisted bicycles) in public places.

“Dockless bicycle-sharing has become increasingly popular in Singapore, providing a convenient and healthier alternative for first-and-last mile journeys. However, the indiscriminate parking of shared bicycles has caused significant social disamenities, despite LTA’s efforts to increase parking infrastructure and encourage bicycle-sharing operators to operate responsibly,” said Land Transport Authority (LTA).

Under the proposed licensing regime, LTA will manage the size of operator’s fleet by setting a maximum number of devices an operator can own.

Besides that, LTA will also impose standards and conditions on operators such as requiring them to remove indiscriminate parked active mobility devices in a timely manner. In line with its plan to implement a QR-code geo-fencing tool in second half of the year, operators might be required to direct their customers to scan the unique QR code at the parking location to prove that they park the bicycles properly. Customers who do not park the devices properly may be fined or banned, for a limited period of time, from using the bicycles.

When the amendments are accepted, operators who will not comply with the standards and conditions will face financial penalties of up to $100,000, reductions in fleet size, and suspension or cancellation of their licences.

Meanwhile, LTA said they aim to start accepting applications for bicycle-sharing licences by mid-2018 and award the licences in Q4 2018. As such, operators with no licence will be fined up to $10,000 or jail term of up to six months, or both.