My Frustrating Experience with GIRA – A Public Service in Disrepair

I would like to share my ongoing frustration with Lisbon’s GIRA bike-sharing system, which I believe reflects a broader failure in public service management.

Despite having an active subscription, I have been repeatedly unable to unlock bikes due to app malfunctions and system errors — including false reports of incomplete trips that blocked my account and charged extra fees. It took multiple unanswered emails and long delays to get partial resolutions.

Sadly, this seems to be a common experience. The GIRA app ratings speak for themselves: 1.2 on Google Play and 1.4 on the App Store. Instead of addressing these issues or improving the service, EMEL is now reportedly shutting down access to free alternatives (MGIRA

https://lisboaparapessoas.pt/en/2023/12/11/mgira-alternative-application-rotates/ and GIRA+

https://github.com/rt-evil-inc/gira-mais

) , citing “security” reasons, further limiting user choice.

Public services should work for the citizens, not against them. I hope this case can help raise awareness and push for transparency, accountability, and competition.