GoShare is an innovative scooter-sharing scheme in Taipei. The entire process for you to find and ride a scooter is done using their app.
Here’s how you can start renting a GoShare scooter for convenient access across Taipei on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Their service area map shows they don’t completely cover all of Taipei City and New Taipei City, however, they are rapidly expanding.
| Table of Contents
1. Models & Renting Prices |
Models & Renting Prices
Let’s start with their scooter models and the rental rates of each.
The Gogoro Viva is $15 for the first 6 minutes, and then $2.5 per minute afterward.
The Gogoro 2 & Gogoro 3 are both $25 for the first 6 minutes, and then $2.5 per minute afterward.
License Requirements to Use GoShare
You’ll need either a Taiwan motorcycle license, a Taiwanese driver’s license, or an International Driving Permit from your country that is accepted in Taiwan.
You can find out if your International Driving Permit is accepted in Taiwan by the government website.
Also, if you’re staying in Taiwan for more than 30 days, you should register for an international driving permit with the Taipei Motor Vehicle Office.
Understand the Restrictions
It’s important to know what kind of ID is needed after you submit your license. This is because they’ll reject your ID if you provide them with the wrong one, and will ask you to submit it again.
The model size of the scooters you can rent will depend on the type of license you submit.
Downloading the App
You’ll need to search for ‘GoShare’, it looks like this:
If you cannot find it, it may mean you need to change your app store location to Taiwan.
- Here is Apple’s support link on how to change your Apple ID country or region.
- Android users can use this link on how to change your Google Play country.
Registering with GoShare
Customer Support
Their support service is a live chat room within the app, and it’s amazing. They registered us pretty quickly after contacting them for assistance with the documents check part.
Once you’ve successfully registered, it usually takes 20 minutes to be approved (and be able to rent the scooters!)
Finding and Riding
From the app home screen, find and tap on any scooters located nearby you. Once you tap ‘reserve’, it’ll be reserved for you for 10 minutes. Currently, GoShare is giving newbies 30 minutes for free on their first ride.
If you cannot find your scooter, simply press the small bell next to the license plate number. This will make the headlights and rear lights of the reserved scooter flash to help you find it quicker.
We found it!
Once you’re at your scooter, the app will show prompts on how to open the trunk. You can always refer to the app ‘tutorial’ from the info center at any time.
You can find a pouch full of disposable hairnets under the seat for you to use when wearing the helmets.
To start the scooter, retract the side stand, then pull the rear brake lever while pressing ‘GO’ on the dashboard.
Temporary Stopping
Parking temporarily is quick and secure to do, just bring outside stand then tap the padlock icon to show locked. To continue riding, retract the side stand, and tap the padlock icon to show unlocked.
Swapping the Batteries
You can swap the batteries at any of their charging stations.
To find them, you will need to switch them on from the map.
The Gogoro 2 uses 2 batteries, (the Viva model will just have one). Simply pull them out but be careful, they’re a bit heavy.
There will always be at least 2 empty slots for you to push them into for charging.
After waiting for a moment or two, out pops 2 fully charged batteries. Then that’s it, put them into the scooter, and you’re done.
Check your app notifications for battery swapping rewards. From this battery swap, I got $20 off my next rental! You can view your coupons from the coupon icon.
Ending the Ride
Before ending the ride, you must be:
- Within their service area,
- Park in a legal parking space,
- Pack away the helmet(s),
- Ensure no trash is left with the scooter.
*NOTE: You mustn’t park in any illegal parking areas, private land, or basement parking lots.
Once you have done those things, you can go ahead and tap the ‘End Ride’ button on the app. The app produces your receipt of the summary of each ride to your email address.
The app allows you to upload your parking photo, with the registration plate, as proof you parked legally.
Final thoughts
GoShare is a convenient transport option that you can have access to from around 20 minutes of registering. It offers more mobility than the YouBike and MRT while being cheaper than using a taxi.
We are looking forward to them expanding their service area to more areas across and beyond Taipei.
Let us know if you have any questions or thoughts on GoShare in the comments section, we’ll do our best to respond to them.
🗓️ Updated: February 2022 – Taipei.Expats
