Bicycle Rental Service to Launch in Bangkok on 1 May 2013

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It has been a long time coming but the BMA have finally announced that the “Pun Pun” Bike Rental scheme will launch on 1st May at 12 stations around Central Bangkok. This is a far cry from their original promise of 50 stations and 500 bicycles around Bangkok by February 2013. But it is a good start. Hopefully if it is well used then they will be encouraged to add more stations in the future. The 12 stations include Chamchuri Square, Siam Square, Siam Center, Chula University 1 (Science Building), Chula university 2 (Opposite Triam Udom), MBK,  Siam Paragon, Central World 1 (Rama 1 Rd), Central World 2 (Ratchdamri Rd), Krungsi (Ploenchit), Convent (North Sathorn) and Rajanakarn Building (South Sathorn). I will add these stations to the map below as soon as I have confirmed the exact locations.

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To be able to use these bikes you need to register for a RFID smart card (see below) which I already have. The price on the receipt was 320 Baht which was broken down as follows: 120 Baht for the RFID smart card, 100 Baht credit on the card and 100 Baht membership for one year. From the information that I have so far, it is free for the first 15 minutes which is enough to go between two stations.  If you go over this time then it is 15 Baht for the first hour. The longer you have the bike the cheaper it will be. It is 20 Baht for three hours, 40 Baht for five hours and 60 Baht for six hours. For one day the rental fee is 100 Baht. The rental fee includes full insurance. The official website is www.punpunbikeshare.com but there isn’t anything in English yet. I will update as soon as I have more details.

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6 thoughts on “Bicycle Rental Service to Launch in Bangkok on 1 May 2013

  • December 16, 2013 at 11:03 am
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    Your all to negative. I drive my own bike now, brought from Holland, for 1 week in Bangkok and I love it. Taxes and busses in inner city, get always stuck in the traffic. In winter the temperature is not that high and you not necessarily have to drive midday. Come on use your brains. your still in a tropic country Do your shopping early in the morning or the evening.

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  • May 16, 2013 at 2:56 pm
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    I drive a motorbike around Bangkok and it is one of the easiest city’s I’ve ever done so. Unlike NYC, the roads are filled with thousands of motor-bike riders, taxis and delivery men not to mention all the hybrid motor-cycle/carts being pushed by food vendors, basket sellers, BBQ stands etc… People are very aware of what’s going on on the streets. In the 18 months I’ve been here, I’ve been honked at less than 5 times. Cabbies are nuts in Manhattan and will run you down. This is a great idea for Bankgok! Where do I sign up?

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  • May 5, 2013 at 12:51 pm
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    Bring your own bike helmet otherwise you’ll end up donating to the “policemen’s benefit fund” – sure to be BiB waiting near each bike station 🙁

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  • May 2, 2013 at 10:51 am
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    Great idea! Can’t wait to try it on my next trip to Bangkok and I look forward to seeing the updated map of bicycle stations.

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  • May 2, 2013 at 1:25 am
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    Hmm, interesting idea. In cities like Berlin, Paris or Copenhagen with a mild climate, sane car drivers, special lanes for bikes etc. it certainly makes sense. But in Bangkok? I’m not sure I would use this. I prefer to walk and take a taxi etc. otherwise. But why not if they can afford a test run.

    Idea: Offer a free wet tissue through the machines when the bike is brought back in time (people will need this).

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  • April 30, 2013 at 9:41 pm
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    It was incredible to see how well the whole bike rental scheme worked on my recent trip to Paris. But is it going to work here given the fact the weather is too hot, the roads are too dangerous, too many motorists are uninsured, the scheme is sure to lack the proper management and won’t people just steal the bikes anyway?

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