No Full Stop Despite Contract End

The second-generation MOL Bubi has run since 2021 under the Csepel–Nextbike consortium, whose deal expires December 23.

Earlier worries about procurement delays scrapping the service entirely didn't pan out. Budapest's transport authority, BKK, negotiated a bridge period to maintain availability while prepping Bubi 3.0, the next major upgrade. The city assembly debated this multiple times; a tender launched but got reworked in October, and by November, continuity won out over a shutdown.

What's Different in the Pilot Phase?

Expect adjustments for winter. The fleet shrinks to about half size due to lower demand and weather. Pay-as-you-go users must re-register bank cards in the MOL Bubi app. In District VI (Terézváros), you can now pick up and drop off bikes at 168 Mobi Points alongside e-scooters—these shared spots help BKK study local riding patterns. Anonymized data from here will shape Bubi 3.0, including better ties to other micromobility options.

Path to a Bigger Network

BKK expects to ink the new contract soon, with bikes possibly rolling out in six months—or sooner. Bubi 3.0 brings at least 5,000 new bikes, including 1,000 e-bikes, for broader appeal. Coverage grows to outer spots like Örs vezér Square, Kőbánya-Kispest, Újpest-Városkapu, Angyalföld, Zugló, József Attila housing estate, and Őrmező, plus key hubs and metro stations.

A Staple of City Life

Since 2014, MOL Bubi has woven into Budapest's transport mix. Post-2021 refresh, rentals hit 14 million over four years, logging 31 million kilometers. This pilot keeps wheels turning through winter, bridging to a more expansive setup in 2025.

Tender winner revealed: Inurba Mobility to now operate Bubi bicycle-sharing scheme in Budapest

The Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) has signed a contract with tender winner Inurba Mobility to operate the Bubi bicycle-sharing scheme, BKK announced on Monday.

BKK said that Inurba Mobility is expected to provide at least 5,000 new bicycles, of which at least 1,000 will be electrically assisted. Service will eventually cover all major transport hubs with at least 30,000 trips beyond the current service area, including all metro stations.
 

The new fleet of bicycles is expected to be on the streets of Budapest within six months at the latest, it added. A pilot phase of the service will launch on December 24 and last till February 15.

Inurba Mobility has significant international operating experience as it operates bicycles in Rouen and in several Polish cities, BKK noted.

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