Hasanuddin University has officially launched an electric bicycle service named “Wesgo Unhas” as part of its transformation toward a Green Campus, Smart Mobility, and Smart Campus.
A total of 600 electric bicycles have begun operating as the main means of mobility for the academic community on campus, the result of a strategic partnership between Hasanuddin University and PT. EZ GO Technology Indonesia.
The symbolic inauguration took place in the forecourt of the Unhas Rectorate Building, 1st Floor, on Wednesday (18 February).
The launch of Wesgo Unhas is a tangible expression of the university’s commitment to creating a campus transportation ecosystem that is environmentally friendly, low in carbon emissions, and sustainable. The electric bicycles encourage students and lecturers to begin shifting from conventional vehicles to electric transportation that is healthier, more efficient, and more modern.
The Wesgo Unhas service is designed as an internal campus mobility solution that can be used throughout the Unhas area, based on an app system with GPS technology and low carbon emissions. The program is in line with Unhas’s mission as a sustainable campus that integrates environmental, technological, and green-lifestyle aspects into everyday academic life.
Manager of PT. EZ GO Technology Indonesia, M. Vicki, explained that Wesgo Unhas is a concrete solution for improving campus connectivity without relying on conventional vehicles.
“We saw students’ real need for transportation within the campus. That is why we provide a mobility solution that can be shared, without having to be personally owned. This is a real step toward reducing carbon emissions on campus,” said Vicki.
In the initial phase, 600 electric bicycles are prepared and spread across 32 parking points reaching all work units in the campus area. In the future, this number is targeted to rise to 5,000–6,000 units in the next 3–4 years, along with infrastructure development, including a plan to build an integrated parking building to organize the campus parking system in a more orderly, tidy, and modern way.
The program is also designed to support improvement in the UI GreenMetric standard and to strengthen the values of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in campus governance.
Supported by Four Cutting-Edge Technology Features
The Wesgo Unhas service is supported by an app-based technology system with four main features:
- Real-time Battery Update. Automatic battery status reports every 10 seconds through the app.
- Global Positioning System (GPS). Bicycle position tracking based on high-accuracy Beidou satellite technology.
- Verification & Tracing System. User security through identity verification and trip-tracking facilities.
- Smart Parking Management. Self-managed parking to maintain order, aesthetics, and regularity across the campus area.
The academic community can access the service through the app at a very affordable rate of Rp980 per minute, making it an inclusive and economical campus transportation solution.
Unhas Rector Prof. Dr. Ir. Jamaluddin Jompa, M.Sc stressed that the use of electric bicycles is part of Unhas’s roadmap toward a Green Campus.
“The dream of becoming a green campus is not easy. But the arrival of Wesgo is a real solution. We are changing the lifestyle of the academic community toward a sustainable way of living. This is not just transportation, but a cultural change,” explained Prof. JJ
According to Prof. JJ, Wesgo Unhas will become a massive movement in instilling the value of sustainability and the use of electric vehicles on campus.
“By switching to electric transportation, we not only reduce air and noise pollution but also strengthen Unhas’s position in global green campus rankings. This will become a new lifestyle at Unhas,” Prof. JJ added.
The Wesgo Unhas initiative was welcomed enthusiastically by students and lecturers as a practical, modern, and environmentally friendly transportation option. The program is expected to spark a change toward a sustainable lifestyle that starts in the educational environment.
With phased development, technology integration, and campus policy support, Wesgo Unhas is projected to be an important reinforcement in realizing a zero-emission campus ecosystem, while positioning Unhas as a Green Campus pioneer in eastern Indonesia. (*/nur/dhs)
Editor: Ishaq Rahman
This article is an English translation of the original Indonesian report.