Toronto got its first bike-sharing service since the closing of
Bikeshare several years ago, and the
BIXI network -- established in Montreal, Boston, London, England and elsewere -- is offering a bigger, more financially sustainable service. As it launches, the service offers 1,000 bikes available at 80 stations around the downtown core. Members can use bikes for half an hour free of charge, and rent the bikes by the hour, returning them to a docking station when they are done. Non-member rentals are also available for tourists and residents.
The program signed up 1,000 advance members during a drive last year -- a milestone that
meant they got a $4.8 million startup loan from the city of Toronto. The company will also rely on corporate sponsorships for revenue. Initially, it was announced that ING Direct would be the sponsor, but it
now appears that Telus and Desjardins will have their branding appear on the bike-share infrastructure.
Writer: Edward Keenan
Source: Marshneill Abraham, for BIXI Toronto