On the 9th, SOCAR announced that its shared personal mobility platform, SOCAR Electric Bike, will introduce a new usage right called 'Unlimited Pass' that allows unlimited use of electric bicycles for around 100 won per day.
With the Unlimited Pass, users can rent electric bicycles repeatedly without limitation for 15 minutes at a time. An additional per-minute fee is charged only for time exceeding 15 minutes. The pass is offered in three options: a 1-month pass (7,900 won), a 4-month pass (19,900 won), and a 12-month pass (49,900 won). By using the 4-month and 12-month passes, users can enjoy unlimited access to electric bicycles at around 100 won per day throughout the subscription period.
The areas where the Unlimited Pass is available include Seoul (excluding Guro-gu Hang-dong), the Samseong district of Goyang, Wirye, Hanam, and other parts of the metropolitan area, as well as Daejeon, Sejong, Cheonan, and Cheongju in the Chungcheong region. When renting a device in a location where the pass is valid, the benefits of the pass are automatically applied. Devices can be returned anywhere within the SOCAR Electric Bike service area, including the specified regions. The pass can be purchased and used through both the SOCAR app and the SOCAR Electric Bike app.
According to SOCAR Electric Bike usage data for the first half of this year, short-distance travel, defined as an average driving time of 15 minutes or less, accounted for 90% of total usage.
Lee Seung-geun, head of SOCAR's personal mobility division, noted, "We designed a pass that allows users to conveniently use electric bicycles at a more reasonable price based on frequent travel patterns over short distances. In particular, we expect this will significantly reduce the expense burden for repetitive trips like commuting to and from school or work, allowing everyone to feel real benefits."