Mainzer Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH (MVG) came first out of 44 entries in the national competition entitled “Innovative öffentliche Fahrradverleihsysteme – neue Mobilität in Städten” (Innovative Public Bike Rental Systems – A New Way of Getting Around in the City). The prize means that MVG has EUR 3.8 million at its disposal during the support period of October 2009 to September 2012 (inclusive) to develop an innovative, station-based, year-round bike rental system in Mainz, Germany. MVG itself is providing 50% of the funds for the project.
The aim of the project is to complement and extend the range of local public transport options in the city of Mainz. It also aims to reduce pollution and traffic noise and, by doing so, strengthen the concept of “ecomobility”.
Between now and 2012, an extensive network of approximately 120 bike rental stations will be established throughout MVG’s entire catchment area. This will mean that up to 1,000 bikes will be available for rent 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The system will be operated on behalf of MVG and, when the support period is over, will be financed by its users in the long term.
The European wide announcement for the implementation of an innovative bike rental system was made on February 5th 2010. The tender is comprised of four lots: Bikes, Bike rental stations, Background Information System, Sales and Billing System. The MVG received a lot of interesting applications to be part of the call for tenders. All tender documents are finished and have been sent to the participants on March 26th 2010.
On the basis of the tender documents all tenders are preparing their offers which have to be submitted in May 2010.
On April 28th the MVG got the confirmation for the grant application from the Ministry of Transportation. Now all money form the Ministry is guaranteed and the MVG can realize the MVGmeinRad-project.
On April 24th MVG represented the new public bike rental system as part of the yearly bike day in the City of Mainz. At this event everybody could get extensive information about the new system, time schedule and interesting places for a bike station. You can find some photos on this website. The competition for the colors of the MVG-bike is still going on until the end of May 2010. The winners will be contacted directly by the MVG.
The MVG is currently also working on the preparation of station locations for 120 stations, which will be located all over the catchment of the public transportation system.
Your contact person at MVG for this project is Tina Liebig, phone +49 (0)6131-126258, E-Mail
