The city of Tucson has selected an operator for its new bike sharing program that is scheduled to launch in the fall.
The city selected Shift Transit of Chicago on a three-year contract to operate the new system, which provides subscribers a network of bicycles to rent on a short-term basis. The bikes are located in self-service, solar-powered automated kiosks that will be installed around the city.
The equipment and technology needed for the program will be provided by PBSC Urban Solutions, which has provided bike-sharing equipment in other cities including Chicago, Toronto, Detroit and Honolulu.
More that 100 cities in the United State have a public bike-share system, including Phoenix. The University of Arizona has a bike-sharing program on campus.
The city secured a $1.3 million federal grant funding to buy the equipment and launch the system with 36 stations and 330 bicycles. Plans could allow for more stations to be added later.
The stations will primarily be in the downtown area, west of Interstate 10, along the North Fourth Avenue business district and around the University of Arizona, but will also be available as far north as North Campbell Avenue near East Grant Road, as far east as Reid Park and to the south near 29th Street.
Revenue to operate the system comes through fees paid by users, sponsorships and advertising.
Bike-sharing programs typically offer a subscription-based service, either annually or for daily rentals. Subscribers then have short-term access to the network of bicycles, which are locked at the stations. Bicycles can be rented at one station and dropped off at another.
The bicycles typically have built-in systems that allow them to be locked remotely, which serves as a theft deterrent.
More information: tucsonaz.gov/bicycle/tucson-bike-share
