MOL Bubi Bike Sharing System Celebrates The 10 Millionth Ride

Hey there! Have you heard about the MOL Bubi bike sharing system in Budapest? It’s been a huge success! The Budapesti Közlekedési Központ (BKK), which runs the service, recently celebrated a major milestone: 10 million rides with MOL Bubi bikes.

To mark the occasion, the lucky rider who took the 10 millionth trip was greeted by Ágnes Diószegi, the Deputy CEO of Customer Relations and Sales at BKK. She presented the user with a gift package and a one-year MOL Bubi pass. How cool is that?

The MOL Bubi system has been instrumental in changing the mindset of people in Budapest. Many have discovered the joys of urban cycling thanks to the user-friendly app, easy registration, and the revamped bikes. Folks in the city have realized that cycling is eco-friendly, healthy, cost-effective, and sometimes the quickest way to get around.

The popularity of the bike sharing system has been growing year after year. In 2023, an average of more than 9,000 rides were taken daily, with the busiest day (September 13) recording over 18,000 trips. This year, in just eight months, the average daily rides have already surpassed 10,500. In August 2024, BKK expanded the system with two new stations in the 13th district, bringing the total number of available stations to 211.

The BKK’s BudapestGO app has been a game-changer for cyclists, making it easy to plan bike routes, whether using personal bikes or MOL Bubi. The app suggests routes that include Bubi stations, indicates the expected traffic (e.g., car-free bike lanes), and allows users to set preferences for bike-friendly routes and avoid hills.

The MOL Bubi fleet now boasts 2,460 bikes, allowing users to quickly reach any destination within the city center in just 10-15 minutes. For longer distances, the service can be seamlessly combined with other public transport options.

The evolution of Bubi has mirrored the evolution of cycling and the development of the cycling network in Budapest. Today, people of all ages use Bubi, and since the radical overhaul from Bubi 1.0 to 2.0, the number of rides has increased 5-8 times. BKK took into account customer needs and the opportunities presented by digital advancements when transitioning from 1.0 to 2.0, and they are committed to continuously improving the service with Bubi 3.0.

The new era of the bike sharing system is set to begin in 2026. The plan is to double the current fleet with Bubi 3.0, introducing not only traditional bikes but also electric-assist bicycles. The new fleet and stations will provide shared bike access to those living beyond the current service area, such as around Örs vezér tere, Kőbánya-Kispest, and Újpest-Városkapu.

So, if you’re in Budapest, why not give MOL Bubi a try? Join the tens of thousands of people who are already enjoying this fantastic bike sharing system!

Image source: MOL Bubi Facebook Page