Skip to content
News
Link copied to clipboard

Bike-share program starts rolling April 23

In less than a month, Philadelphia's bike-share program, Indego, will launch its bright-blue cycles priced at three tiers. Some 700 bikes at 70 stations across the city will start rolling April 23.

Alison Cohen, a former tennis pro living in Mount Airy, has worked to launch bike shares in NYC, D.C. and Boston. Now, she's in charge of managing Philly's newly announced Indego bike share with her company Bicycle Transit Systems. She is shown in her Mt. Airy neighborhood on Feb. 15, 2015. ( CHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer )
Alison Cohen, a former tennis pro living in Mount Airy, has worked to launch bike shares in NYC, D.C. and Boston. Now, she's in charge of managing Philly's newly announced Indego bike share with her company Bicycle Transit Systems. She is shown in her Mt. Airy neighborhood on Feb. 15, 2015. ( CHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer )Read more
    by Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
    Published 

In less than a month, Philadelphia's bike-share program, Indego, will launch its bright-blue cycles priced at three tiers.

Some 700 bikes at 70 stations across the city will start rolling April 23.

"I am thrilled that we are launching Indego in less than 30 days," Mayor Nutter said in a statement. "Great cities provide residents, commuters, and visitors with great transportation and recreation options. Indego adds another option to get around, stay healthy, and experience our wonderful city."

There are two pricing options for regular users, said Andrew Stober, chief of staff in the Mayor's Office of Transportation and Utilities.

Monthly memberships will cost $15, and the first hour of all trips for those riders will be free.

"If you're going to ride regularly," Stober said, "it's the best deal."

Less-frequent riders can pay $10 for an annual membership and then $4 for every ride up to an hour.

The option designed for tourists puts rides at $4 per 30 minutes.

Users can purchase memberships at www.rideindego.com. They will receive a key fob that allows access to a bike at any Indego station.

Stations will accept credit and debit cards. Customers can pay with cash using PayNearMe, a system that allows consumers to make cash payments at participating 7-Eleven or Family Dollar Stores.

The initial batch of stations range as far north as Berks Street and south to Tasker Street. Indego plans to add more docks in 2016.

The city has planned various initiatives to spur ridership. Independence Blue Cross members can pay $5 for their first 30 days of an Indego monthly membership. Half-hour rides will be $1 on 12 designated days for anyone trying the program.

Officials will preview the system Thursday at Paine Plaza, across from City Hall. Visitors can try bikes and purchase memberships.

Installation of the stations will start this week, Stober said. All bikes will have a bell and front and rear lights.