QCOSTARICA – In October last year, in the city of Cartago began a pilot progam to loan bicycles to students of the Liceo Jorge Volio of the Colegio Universitario de Cartago (CUC) and the Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC).
Today it already has more than 500 users and in the first three months, from October to January, it made 2.027 loans.
The mayor of the City of Cartago, Rolando Rodriguez, described “BicipúbliCartago” as a total success. “We are pleased with the early results,” said Rodriguez.
On average, 75 bicycles are loaned out. The city has 100 bicycles available and is planning to purchase more given the success of the program.
The mayor added that there is a waiting list and that they are forced to have to withdraw permits from students not making use of the service.
“BicipúbliCartago” operates three stations: one at the urban train station and one each at the TEC and CUC campuses, where students can pick up and return a bike.
The program had an initial cost of ¢178 million colones, with contributions from the City of Cartago, the Dutch Embassy and the donation of land by TEC.
