Despite others failing, it seems that some companies just can’t shake off the idea of shared umbrellas. A new umbrella share service popped up in the metro stations of Line 2 a couple of days ago.
The new umbrella-sharing startup is called Mosun. The umbrellas can easily be accessed by downloading an app, paying a deposit of RMB39 and then scanning the QR code to use the umbrellas for the low price of just RMB2 per day. If the umbrellas aren’t returned in 7 days, then the deposit will be deducted. Also, the first day of use is free.
The success of shared bicycles has resulted in many shared items. However, unlike shared bicycles, the future of shared umbrellas seems rocky and full of thorns. In May, an umbrella sharing startup called Hujie Web claimed that all of their umbrellas had gone completely missing in under a day.
So how can Mosun avoid a similar fate? Huang Jianliang, creator of Mosun, gave us his answer. “Currently, our only means of preventing the loss of umbrellas are real name registration and lost umbrella fees. But it still can’t completely stop the umbrellas from missing. Moreover, the GPS tracking device is not featured due to the cost issues. ”
Citizens, on the other hand, welcome the coming of shared umbrellas, saying that it has done them a great favor. “It’s convenient. I don’t have to carry umbrellas in my bag anymore. If it suddenly starts to rain, I can use the shared umbrella in the station and return it on my way to work the next day.” said one passenger at Line 2.
According to Huang Jianliang, if the test runs on Line 2 go well, then they will gradually put shared umbrellas at the stations of Line 3 and Line 11.
Only time can tell whether Mosun’s take on shared umbrellas can last long.
[Images via China Daily]
