Umbrella-sharing at Shanghai metro stations despite failure elsewhere

A shared-umbrella service is being launched at all Shanghai Metro Line 2 stations, despite failed attempts in other Chinese cities, reports thepaper.com.

As with similar share-products such as bikes, dozens of umbrellas are being made available for hire at the exits of the metro line, accessible by using an app.

After registering and paying a deposit of 39 yuan (about USD 6) users unlock the umbrellas by simply scanning a QR barcode, and pay nothing for the first 24 hours, and 2 yuan per day thereafter.

After registering and paying a deposit of 39 yuan (about USD 6) users unlock the umbrellas by simply scanning a QR barcode. [Photo: IC]

If a borrower fails to return the umbrella within seven days, they lose their deposit, which is then used to buy a replacement.

Users can also buy the umbrella by tapping an "I want to buy an umbrella" button on the APP.

Such services have caused controversy in the past in China, with some suggesting it's simply a way to sell umbrellas, with similar services in other cities finding that their shared-umbrellas went missing, and taking large amounts from the deposit as a result.

"The cost of the umbrella is around 40 yuan, so it's impossible for us to make a profit through selling them, and anyway we are planning to cancel this service because the original intention of the enterprise was to provide a service, not to sell umbrellas," said Huang Jianliang, the founder of the Shanghai-based shared umbrella company.

A similar scheme in Hangzhou was scrapped after just one day as there were no fixed docking points and the authorities knew nothing about it.

Officers of urban management department remove the sharing umbrellas from public areas in Hangzhou. [Photo: jinbaonet.com]

In Shanghai the service has been approved by the Metro Bureau and is limited to fixed points, however some users found it was still not convenient to return the umbrella as few stations were equipped with leasing equipment.

In Shanghai the service has been approved by the Metro Bureau and is limited to fixed points. [Photo: IC]

"We plan to place leasing equipment at all subway stations in the future, which will solve this problem to a great extent, but the specific time and total quantity is still under negotiation with the Metro Bureau, and our shared umbrella service will be made available in shopping malls and in office buildings from September this year," said Huang.

The Shanghai Metro Bureau doesn't appear to share Huang Jianliang's ambitions. "It's only a trial operation phase at the moment, shared umbrellas won't be implemented on a large scale at present. Whether there will be a massive expansion will depend on the response of users and the results of the trial operation," said a spokesperson for the Metro Department.

The trial followed extensive negotiations between the company and the Shanghai Metro.

Leasing equipment was placed across from the entrance/exit of the Metro to avoid congestion. [Photo: IC]

Leasing equipment was placed across from the entrance/exit of the Metro to avoid congestion, and the process of taking and returning an umbrella takes just a few seconds to complete.

Plus, the equipment is encased, to prevent rainwater pouring onto the station floor. Each leasing machine can automatically dry the umbrellas within minutes.