App-based 'Jobike' Service Relaunched on Trial at CU

The app-based bicycle sharing service 'Jobike' has been relaunched on the Chittagong University (CU) campus with an initial fleet of 10 electric bikes (e-bikes).

CU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Al-Forkan formally inaugurated the service in front of the Chaksur (CU Central Students' Union) building on Thursday at 11:00 AM.

Initiated by Chaksur, the service will run on a 40-day trial basis. Jobike authorities plan to expand the fleet to 100 bicycles after the trial concludes.

The service will operate daily from 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM. Initially, designated parking points have been set up at Zero Point, the Faculty of Biology, Gate No. 2, and in front of the Chaksur building.

To use the service, students must download the Jobike smartphone application, create an account, and scan the QR code on the bicycle to unlock it. The service costs 1.5 Taka per minute for e-bikes and 80 Poisha per minute for traditional pedal bikes.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Dr. Mohammad Al Amin, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr. Md. Shafiqul Islam, Proctor Professor Dr. Hossain Shahid Sarwardy, and Jobike Founder and CEO Mehedi Reza, among others.

"Jobike is an excellent addition to Chittagong University. Our students will benefit greatly from this," Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Al-Forkan said during the launch. Noting that the service had operated on campus previously, he added, "However, this time, Jobike should not have to leave with the bitter experiences of the past."

Jobike CEO Mehedi Reza explained that the company had been working to return to the campus since students petitioned for its relaunch in 2023. "Previously, we only offered pedal bikes, but now we have introduced electric bikes. If demand permits after the 40-day trial, we will add 50 e-bikes alongside 100 pedal bikes, establish 20 parking points across campus, and open a 'Jo-Cafe' for students."

Chaksur Communication and Housing Secretary Ishaq Bhuyan noted that Jobike first launched at CU in 2019 but was shut down for nearly five years due to various complications. "Students have long demanded its return, and we are glad it has finally restarted today," he said.