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oBike should remove its bicycles in public spaces by next Wednesday: LTA

(Reuters file photo)
(Reuters file photo)

Bicycle-sharing firm oBike should work with its liquidator to remove its bicycles from public spaces by next Wednesday (4 July) so that they “would not be cluttered with bicycles that cannot be hired”, the Land Transport Authority (LTA).

The statement from the LTA on Thursday came after it met with representatives from oBike a day earlier to discuss the issue.

“Should there be unremoved oBike bicycles after this date, LTA will progressively remove these bicycles from public spaces. oBike or its liquidator will have to pay the relevant towing and storage fees in order to claim impounded bicycles from LTA,” the LTA said.

The LTA added that it and the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) have stressed to oBike “the importance of refunding users their deposits”.

CASE said in another press statement that it had received 772 complaints from consumers asking for a refund of their deposit with oBike as of 5pm on Thursday. The majority of the complaints were lodged within the last four days, it added.

The association separately wrote on Facebook it was aware that oBike will be appointing an independent liquidator to handle the distribution of its assets and other outstanding issues.

“Upon commencement of the liquidation, there will be a stay of proceedings on all litigation action. This means that any claim by consumers against oBike will not be able to proceed,” the association added in the same post.

As such, it advised affected consumers to file their Proofs of Debt against oBike with its appointed liquidator, as well as attach copies of relevant receipts or other supporting documents.

On Monday, many frustrated oBike users had left comments on the company’s Facebook post announcing its closure, with many using the hashtag #RefundMyDeposit.

In the post, oBike attributed its business decision to the LTA new regulations on the industry, saying that it would “cause the company to sustain further losses”.

Under the new LTA licensing framework, bicycle-sharing firms have until 7 July to apply for their operating licenses and meet the authority’s requirements.

The changes are meant to address the growing complaints of indiscriminate parking by shared bicycle users.

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#RefundMyDeposit: oBike users left frustrated after company shuts Singapore operations

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