Suwon City Adds 2,000 TAZO Dockless Bike-Sharing Bicycles

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Suwon City announced on the 2nd that it will add 2,000 dockless bike-sharing bicycles TAZO from this month and operate a total of 3,000 bikes.

TAZO is a dockless bike-sharing bicycle that does not require docking stations. It began pilot operation in September last year and officially launched service in October with 1,000 bikes introduced. Over the past six months, approximately 34,000 users have utilized the bikes for approximately 170,000 trips.

Until now, the number of shared bicycles had been somewhat insufficient to provide service throughout Suwon City, but with this additional introduction, it is expected that more citizens will be able to conveniently use TAZO.

TAZO was created through collaboration between Suwon City, KT, and Omni System. In February last year, Suwon City signed a "Memorandum of Understanding for Suwon-type Dockless Bicycle Business Partnership" with KT and Omni System.

The dockless bicycle system does not require bicycle docking stations or unmanned information guidance systems. Using a smartphone, bicycles equipped with GPS (Global Positioning System) can be conveniently rented and returned at bicycle parking spaces located throughout Suwon City.

To use the shared bicycle, users must download the "TAZO" app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store. After signing up as a member and registering a credit or debit card, users can scan the QR code on the bicycle with their smartphone to use it.

Usage fees are 500 won for 20 minutes (basic fare), and 200 won is added for every 10 minutes. A 30-day flat rate pass costs 10,000 won.

A dedicated TAZO call center (1577-5942) operates to address inconveniences raised by users.

A city official stated, "We will work closely with the operator to reduce inconveniences for citizens using shared bicycles" and added, "We will continue to expand bicycle-related infrastructure and support TAZO, which has established itself as an eco-friendly transportation method, to operate smoothly."