Friday, July 4, 2014

CitiBike to become more elitist

From the Daily News:

The cost of Citi Bike annual memberships could rise by more than 50% under a new deal to save the cash-strapped program.

The city has discussed raising the annual membership fee for the popular bikeshare system from $95 to $140 or even $155, according to a source with knowledge of the discussions.

The price hike would be part of a deal to save Citi Bike, which has been on a pathway to bankruptcy and plagued with operational problems.

REQX Ventures — an investment firm formed by Equinox gyms and its parent, the Related Companies — is currently in negotiations with the city to purchase 51% of Alta Bike Share, which oversees Citi Bike through a subsidiary.

“It’s well understood that fees will go up,” the source said.

While the cost of annual membership would soar, 24-hour access passes would probably remain at $9.95.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

How is this elitist? It's cheaper than a car. It's cheaper than a metrocard too!

Anonymous said...

The docking stations are mainly in white nabes and the peeps that use it are whites making 6 figures. There was a discount for people living in the projects, but hardly anyone there used it and now the cost has gone up.

Face it, this was a development scheme from the beginning, and it's no surprise that it was bailed out by a developer.

Anonymous said...

Yellow cabs are mainly in white nabes and used by the rich. There's no discount for NYCHA residents.

The citibike discount for NYCHA residents is not necessarily going to change. Some reports have it remaining in place.

Anonymous said...

Green cabs are generally available in non white nabes.

Anonymous said...

Then maybe we should have green bikes to go with them.

JQ said...

the only people that use these bikes,and recklessly ride them are upper class.

maybe they will use the money from the raised fees to install training wheels for these overdeveloped children.

and the trains are still crowded,so this program has not improved commuting at all.

Anonymous said...

Yet another bumbling excuse to try to lower the carbon footprint as we build more and bring in more.

The stupid kids, who never question authority and are getting a raw deal in their generation as a reward take deep pride in doing something their great grandparents walked away from as being both dangerous and impractical.

Anonymous said...

''and the trains are still crowded,so this program has not improved commuting at all.''

Maybe not for you but for those who use it they do improve commuting.

Anonymous said...

Citibike should cultivate a more diverse clientèle. The city should help that by paying for expansion to more of the city.

Joe Moretti said...

The answer to everything is increase it, well, except wages.

You know what if there is already a problem, then just let it fail. It has not even been in operation that long and now they want to do a 50% increase, not a 5% or 10% increase. New Yorkers are such fools at times. Just bend over and say shove it it hard.

Anonymous said...

Joe if citibike was as heavily subsidized as every other form of transportation in the city they wouldn't have to raise prices.

And what's it matter to you if they raise prices, you still aren't paying for it.

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