免費騎乘的動力：以臺北市YouBike為例

Abstract

臺北市是一個以大眾運輸為主的城市，YouBike公共自行車定位為公共運輸的一環，提供民眾第一哩、最後一哩及轉乘接駁大眾運輸服務。臺北市於2024年2月28日實施YouBike前30分鐘免費政策，新北市同時期無免費政策，雙北市形成一個自然實驗場域，本研究分別以城市與站點層級的營運資料，通過差異中的差異法（Differences-in-differences）進行分析。結果顯示，該政策使YouBike租借次數增加約17%；政策效果在租借站點和時段存在顯著異質性，特別是靠近大學的站點受益顯著，非峰時段11-12時的政策效果最佳，顯示時間彈性較高的使用者群體對免費政策反應積極。免費政策可以根據地區及時段特徵綜合規劃應用，如:特定時段、特定地點、特定對象等精準細緻執行。推行免費政策雖然有好處，但仍須同步建立完善配套機制，確保政策的財務穩定和最大化社會福利。

Taipei City is a public transportation-oriented city, where the YouBike public bicycle system is positioned as part of the public transport network, providing citizens with first-mile, last-mile, and transfer shuttle services to public transportation. On February 28, 2024, Taipei City implemented a policy that allows the first 30 minutes of YouBike rental to be free, while New Taipei City did not have a free policy during the same period, creating a natural experimental field between the two cities. This study analyzed operational data at both the city and station levels using the Differences-in-differences method. The results showed that the policy increased YouBike rental frequency by approximately 17%. The policy's effects exhibited significant heterogeneity across rental stations and time periods, particularly benefiting stations near universities. The policy was most effective during the non-peak hours of 11 AM to 12 PM, indicating that user groups with higher time flexibility responded positively to the free policy. The free policy can be comprehensively planned and applied based on regional and time characteristics, with precise execution for specific periods, locations, and target groups. While implementing a free policy has its advantages, it is essential to simultaneously establish a sound supporting mechanism to ensure the financial stability of the policy and maximize social welfare.