Bus company TEC provides subscription holders with a folding bicycle for an additional €180 or €200 (depending on the user classification). This amount covers rent of the folding bicycle, annual maintenance and an all-risk insurance, including theft.
A pilot project revealed that the majority of users (over 70 per cent) values the concept, not in the least thanks to the gain in time. Over 40 per cent gained 0 to 10 minutes, another 40 per cent gained 10 to 20 minutes a day. This led TEC to translate the pilot into a permanent service, initially with 500 folding bicycles, with a possible future expansion to 3500 folding bicycles.
Other transport companies have not failed to notice this success, as currently, for instance, a study is being conducted into using folding bicycles for rail transport. In the near future NMBS will probably make a decision in this matter. De Lijn is also considering the possibilities of folding bicycles.