Residents of New York City and New Jersey, already annoyed by regular MTA subway fare increases, will lack more affordable public transportation options.Unexpectedly on Thursday, Citi Bike suddenly declare Its bike-share program has raised prices across the board, affecting members and non-members who pay annually.
Citi Bike riders received emails alerting them to the fee increase, which affects Citi Bike and Lyft Pink subscribers, daily riders, and discounted bike share members. All annual memberships will increase by $15 to $220 per year. Not only that, additional riding time beyond the estimated 45 minutes will incur an additional fee of $0.20 per additional minute (original price is $0.17). Want to switch to an electric bike? It now costs an additional $0.20 per ride, capping the total at $4. Member prices will increase on January 29th, with other fare increases taking effect on January 4th.
It’s also getting more expensive for non-members. The unlocking fee increases by $0.20 to $4.79. Any additional riding time over 30 minutes will now be charged $0.30 per minute, the same fee as a new e-bike. Citi Bike claims the price increase will help “improve bike sharing in New York City” to “support our growing business and continued expansion.” The Lyft-owned company said customers will see “next-generation e-bikes” and more charging stations across the five boroughs and New Jersey. Lyft has previously announced Plans to “double” its number of e-bikes.
The reduced fare option is intended to provide a more affordable public transportation option for SNAP recipients or those living in affordable housing in New York. While the $5 monthly fee for these subscribers will not change, their regular monthly bike fee will increase. $0.37 per minute for a designated 45 minutes. E-bike fees will also rise to $0.16 per minute, but will remain capped at $3 as long as you end your ride after the standard time frame.
Citi Bike, owned by Lyft, has Often criticized for substandard maintenance That Large scale bike sharing program In New York City. The program does not receive any funding from the city.Instead, it aims to pay for itself through corporate sponsorships (hence the “Citi” in the name) and user subscriptions, but it has been operating since 2013 It turned out to be a complex infrastructure effort This has resulted in a steady increase in the price of the service over time.year pass Once only $95 a yearbut has increased by more than 100% in the past decade.
While more stations sound great, it’s hard to take any promise seriously at face value.The New York City Comptroller’s Office released a scathing report Citi Bike, owned by Lyft, claimed last month that it failed to meet reliability standards under its current contract. The auditor general’s office said that while ridership is high, Citi Bike has not yet provided enough bikes and docking stations in the Bronx and upper Manhattan to meet demand. The report also noted that black, Latino and low-income neighborhoods have far more empty stations than other areas. Lyft has tried to refute some of these claims, saying gothamist Its bike maintenance rates have not declined.
Currently, Lyft-owned services maintain virtual monopoly New York’s public bike sharing program will not end until the contract expires in 2029.The company has operated New York’s bike system since acquiring Motivate in 2018, and it now operates bike-share programs in many other places across the U.S. in major cities such as San Francisco, Chicago and Washington, D.C.
It seems odd that a company best known for its contract rides would want to run a system where it has to own and maintain a fleet of vehicles, and Lyft’s chief executive thinks so. wall street journal It was reported earlier this year that Lyft had considered selling Citi Bike as a way to refocus the company and counter competition from Uber. Despite revenue growth Earlier this year.For now, the ride-hailing company may be focusing its attention on trying Enforce minimum wage laws for its contract drivers. last month, Lyft forced to offer drivers paid sick leave, other benefits After reaching a $328 million settlement with the state of New York.
