oBike founder, Shi Yi, has apologised for his earlier comments to the Channel News Asia, Today reported.

Shi was previously quoted as saying that refunds of customers’ deposits might be affected by the potential fees imposed by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) for the bicycle-sharing firm’s failure to remove its fleet from the streets.

LTA rebuke

This prompted LTA to put out a statement on July 3 night.

LTA said it was “deeply disappointed” that oBike has “reneged on its earlier commitment to refund customer’s deposits and in turn conveniently linked this to potential fees by LTA”.

Statement made on founder's behalf

However, Shi, 29, is now claiming that the comment was made by a staff member who prepared the media response on his behalf.

In an email to Today on July 4, he wrote: “One of our staff put this remark apparently..."

"As said before, oBike is committed to putting all efforts to retrieve the bikes.”

He added: “Vendors were also appointed already and we are fully cooperating with the related authorities to get the streets clean as soon as possible. We hope to make LTA happy again with the result.”

The status of deposit refunds is still up in the air.

Coverage of Shi Yi

Shi, who is based in China, was in Singapore, although it is not known if he is still here.

The Straits Times on July 4 featured a photo of his mug, taken by its newspaper's photographer, indicating Shi was out and about in public in Singapore.

Today also reported that LTA met with the oBike founders, including Shi, on June 30.

Key questions regarding the extent of Shi's involvement with oBike have not been resolved.

Shi is getting referred to as oBike's founding investor and chairman in media reports these days.

This is despite having been interviewed as oBike's founder in October 2017.

Shi has also been trying to refute the characterisation that he is the founder of oBike.

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