TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Hsinchu plans to enhance its YouBike service with 230 additional bicycles, 10 new stations, and 100 electric-assist bikes next year, the city government said Friday.

The city procured 480 YouBike units in the second half of this year. On Friday, 250 bikes were added to the fleet, and another 230 will be deployed in March, per CNA.

Taiwan's YouBike bicycle-sharing system employs an automated, unmanned electronic management platform. Users can rent a bike from one station and return it to another, providing last-mile connectivity to public transportation.

The initiative encourages greater public transit usage, aiming to reduce private vehicle reliance, conserve energy, and foster an eco-friendly commuting culture, according to the Tourism Administration.

Data from November indicates that the route between Hsinchu Bus Station and Hsinchu High School is among the most popular for YouBike rentals. To meet this demand, 42 docking stations have been installed at the Hsinchu High School station.

In response to reports of insufficient bikes at the Hsinchu High School station during peak hours, the city announced the addition of a new station on Jianhua Street near Chien-Hua Subsidiary Junior High School. The station, featuring 30 docks, began operations Friday.