Bixi ridership down but managers say all is well with service
Number of occasional riders dropped by almost a third compared to 2012
Bixi Montreal numbers are down compared to previous years, but the bike sharing service's management says it is feeling confident about the future.
Figures released today by Bixi Montreal's management showed a significant drop in the service's number of non-member or occasional riders and continued a downward trend over the previous two years.
The service had been used by 60,302 occasional riders as of July 31, 2014.
In 2012, the number of occasional riders was 95,670 and in 2013, it was 72,629.
The mid-season report put current membership at 33,715 users, down slightly from the previous two years.
In 2012, Bixi Montreal boasted 35,581 members at this point in the summer. In 2013, that number was 36,519.
Despite the lower numbers, Bixi’s operators say they’re happy with how things are going.
“The season is going well on all fronts, despite the weather and the uncertainty at its start,” said Marie Élaine Farly, chair of Bixi Montreal’s board of directors.
That uncertainty stemmed from its former operators declaring bankruptcy in January and the City of Montreal's decision to step in and help keep the service alive as a newly created not-for-profit organization.
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Bixi Montreal's new management said the bankruptcy undermined public confidence in the service and they're working to rebuild that trust.
The service recently asked the city for another $350,000 on top of the $460,000 loan it gave Bixi Montreal to help get back on its feet in February.
City Hall will vote on that loan next Monday.