MOL Bubi project for a greener and healthier Budapest
 

MOL Bubi (Budapest Bicycle), the public bike-sharing system that is a new mode of public transport in Budapest was launched on Monday, 8 September 2014. In this time 1,100 apple-green bikes could be hired from 76 docking stations around the clock in all seasons. Docking stations were located 300-500 metres from each other in an area surrounded by the Grand Boulevard and City Park (Városliget) in Pest, while in Buda stations were positioned in Víziváros, the university quarter in South Buda and on Margitsziget.
From 1^st October 2015, the system enlarged by 98 docking stations and 1150 bikes. The service cover 11 districts involved important intersections, such as: Széll Kálmán tér and Móricz Zsigmond körtér. There are also plans for connecting Zugló and Óbuda into the network.
The robust bikes have been uniquely designed for urban cycling with special durable parts that are not compatible with other types of bicycles, so that it makes no sense to steal them.
As a result of the joint development by the consortium MOL, Bubi features innovative solutions like the solar-powered stations or the large-size touchscreen terminals. Közbringa Kft is commissioned by BKK to operate the system. Docking stations are monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure that sufficient numbers of bikes.
Citizens can buy season tickets with personally registration for 3 month, for half year or a year. If they need tickets for a week, 3 days or only a day, they can pay with credit card. Using the bikes for a half hour or less is free. MOL Bubi Customers and anyone interested can contact BKK’s 0-24 call centre for support.
The EU co-funded development is worth more than one billion Hungarian Forints. Funding for the “Development of the Budapest Public Bicycle-Sharing System” project was provided by EU Regional Development Fund in the framework of Széchenyi 2020. Total project cost is net 1.059 billion Forints including 900 million Ft co-funding by the EU and the own contribution was provided by the Municipality of Budapest to BKK. The main sponsor of the operation of the system is MOL, additionally revenue from user ticket and pass sales and financial support by the Municipality of Budapest ensure the sustainability of the system.
 
The main goal of the Municipality of Budapest encouraging citizens to use more environment-friendly and energy-saving transportation alternatives in order to create together a livable and sustainable city.