+++ This is a joint press release by Regionalverkehr Köln GmbH (RVK), Rhein-Sieg-Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH (RSVG), Rhein-Sieg-Kreis, Stadtwerke Bonn and the City of Bonn. +++
The tender was led by the local transport companies Stadtwerke Bonn Verkehrs-GmbH (SWB Bus und Bahn), Regionalverkehr Köln GmbH (RVK) and Rhein-Sieg-Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH (RSVG). With the uniform system, it will soon be possible to use the existing offers as a bundled system. Previously, for example, it was only possible to hand in an RVK e-bike in Bonn at a few handover stations. This will change this year, as the three individual regional bike rental systems will become a uniform system that can be used throughout the city.
Sebastian Schuster, District Administrator of the Rhein-Sieg district: "The bike sharing systems in the Rhein-Sieg district are becoming increasingly popular. A joint system with the city of Bonn is therefore only logical, as many journeys by citizens from the Rhein-Sieg district start or end right there. I am delighted that we can continue to provide a comprehensive service in the Rhein-Sieg district, which will become more and more attractive with the expansion towards Bonn."
Katja Dörner, Mayor of Bonn: "Thanks to the uniform bike rental system, there is now an even more attractive way to get around the Rhein-Sieg district and Bonn flexibly and sustainably. This brings together two already above-average and popular services. I am delighted that we can offer customers real added value thanks to this collaboration between the Rhein-Sieg district and Bonn."
The transport companies will take over the organization of the uniform bike sharing system. This also includes a new name and an accompanying campaign that presents the system, its operation and the added value for users.
Dr. Marcel Frank, Managing Director of Regionalverkehr Köln GmbH (RVK): "Our intermodality project management team is contributing its many years of experience with the RVK e-bike to this wonderful and comprehensive project.
We are very pleased that we can jointly contribute our expertise in the support of this uniform system, which will benefit all sides, but especially the users."
Volker Otto, Managing Director of Rhein-Sieg-Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH: "By working together, we can offer users seamless mobility - without the need to switch to other bikes. This is an important step for the further development of intermodal transport concepts in the region."
In addition to standardization, the bike rental system will also offer another advantage for its users, reveals Anja Wenmakers, Managing Director of SWB and Bahn: "Sustainable mobility does not stop at city or district borders, which is why SWB, RVK and RSVG are now connecting Bonn and the region with bicycles and pedelecs. Good to know for our subscription customers: in future, there will be 30 nextbike free minutes per rental and no longer per day as before."
In the regions, the following bike offers are currently available: Mietfahrrad (city of Bonn), RSVG-Bike (Rhine-Sieg district on the right bank of the Rhine) and RVK e-Bike (Rhine-Sieg district on the left bank of the Rhine). As a result of the standardization, they will merge into one system this year.