The number of Vélib 'circulating in the capital "is not at the rendezvous," lamented Monday Deputy Mayor of Paris Christophe Najdovski, however, saying that the ratio of use of new bikes was comparable to that of their predecessors.
6,000 Vélib 'less than expected
"We have exceeded 80,000 races per day", with "a ratio of use of five to eight users per day and by bike," said Christophe Najdovski, in the margins of the Paris council, which is being held this week. Currently, some 13,000 Vélib 'are in circulation, against 19,000 expected according to several sources close.
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Noting "the weakness of the number of bicycles available", and the technical problems of hanging up gear at the terminals, Christophe Najdovski said that the city of Paris had asked the company to "work on this point" and "maintenance of bikes ". In addition, many degradations and theft of bicycles are regrettable, regretted the first deputy of the Mayor of Paris, Emmanuel Grégoire, evoking many "incivilities".
Between delays and technical difficulties
In January 2018, the Smovengo consortium took over from the incumbent operator, JCDecaux, in the operation of self-service bikes in Ile-de-France. But between failed stations and installation delays, the transfer turned into a nightmare for many users and the town hall. Delays in implementation had left Smovengo with the shadow of a termination of his contract. But the management union of Vélib 'in Paris had renewed its confidence in September.
In a report published in March by the Inspector General of the City of Paris, seized in May 2018 by the mayor PS Anne Hidalgo, had pointed out many "weaknesses" in "the preparation, definition and conduct" of the implementation. place of the new Vélib 'in Paris and its metropolis. In addition, the size and introduction of electric-assisted bicycles and advanced geolocation devices had caused a "technical difficulty" in setting up the new Vélib.