The Committee was reminded that, in August,
2012, the Council had secured funding in the sum of £698,700
from the Department for Regional Development towards the provision
of a Belfast Public Bike Hire Scheme. It was anticipated that the
first phase of the project would see the establishment of a number
of stations at key locations in the City and that the scheme would
be extended to additional areas following an initial
evaluation. In accordance with its decision
of 4th June, the Chairman welcomed to the meeting Mr. J.
Frehill, Project Manager of Dublin City
Council’s bike hire scheme, who was in attendance to provide
an overview of that project.
Mr. Frehill explained that the Dublin
scheme, known as ‘dublinbikes
’, had been established in 2009 as part of a
joint partnership between Dublin City Council and the French
company JC Decaux. The initiative was
considered to have been a success, with each bike undertaking an
average of 2,200 journeys during the first year. He suggested that
three factors had contributed to that success, namely, the demand
for the service which had been created by the general public in
Dublin; the extensive research which had been undertaken in
choosing the locations for the bike stations; and the cost
effectiveness and quality of the service which was
provided.
He explained that users of the scheme could sign up for an annual
subscription at a cost of €10, or users could take out a
three-day subscription at a cost of €2, which was aimed
specifically at tourists. In addition, he explained that 97% of
journeys undertaken in Dublin were within the thirty minute
threshold and, therefore, free of charge. Thereafter, small
incremental charges were incurred. To ensure that bikes were
returned to their stations, users were required to enter into an
agreement which enabled a fee of €150 to be charged to their
credit card should they breach their hire agreement. He added that
the annual subscription charge would increase to €20 as part
of a phased expansion of the scheme.
Mr. Frehill reported that, at present,
there were 550 bikes, located at 44 stations, available for hire
within Dublin. Those stations were located in close proximity to
areas of high employment, amenities and other transport services.
He outlined the plans which had been formulated to extend the scope
of the scheme and he answered a range of Members’ questions
in relation thereto.
In terms of the plans for the Belfast Bike Hire Scheme, the
Planning and
Transport Officer reported that procurement
documents were being drafted for the design, build,
operation and maintenance contract for the project and that work
was ongoing on sponsorship and advertising options which would be
associated with the scheme. She added that it was anticipated that
a tendering exercise would be initiated in November and a report on
its outcome would in due course be submitted for consideration
by both the Strategic Policy and Resources
and Development Committees. She indicated that companies submitting
a tender would be required to include a range of pricing
options which would take into account any proposed future expansion
of the scheme. She added that a further report,
which would outline the costs associated with the construction
phase, operation and ongoing maintenance costs for the scheme,
together with the details of any sponsorship secured to offset the
Council’s costs, would be submitted for consideration prior
to its commencement.
The Chairman thanked Mr. Frehill for
attending and, after discussion, the
Committee noted the information which had been
provided.
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