We're still wrapped up in the excitement over the Expo Line opening, but let's pause for a minute to take a look at the latest public transit news.
Metro and the City of Los Angeles announced today the rollout of a bike sharing program based in Downtown LA. The system, dubbed Metro Bike Share, will launch on July 7.
Up to 1,000 bicycles will be available at up to 65 stations near rail and bus stops as well as spots like Union Station, City Hall, Grand Park, MOCA, Grand Central Market, the LA Convention Center, Chinatown, the Arts District, Little Tokyo and more. Here's an overview of the planned locations:
Users will have the option of paying per ride (starting at $3.50) as well as choosing from monthly ($20) and annual ($40) plans. You'll be able to walk up and check out a bike using a credit card or TAP card, the reusable fare cards that are already accepted on Metro trains and buses and by 23 other transit agencies. However, TAP cards won't include any sort of reduced transfer fare when the system first launches.
Initially, Metro Bike Share will only be accessible to monthly and yearly pass holders, but beginning August 1 it will open up to all users and walk-up costumers. Metro is also incentivizing people to sign up for its long-term passes by offering limited editions stickers, pins and guides.
Here's a full fare breakdown below:
Monthly Pass: $20 per month. All trips 30 minutes or less are free and $1.75 per 30 minutes thereafter. For those taking more than five trips per month. TAP cards only.
Flex Pass: $40 per year. All trips 30 minutes or less are $1.75 and $1.75 per 30 minutes thereafter. For those taking two to five trips per month. TAP cards only.
Walk-Up: $3.50 for 30 minutes or less, and $3.50 per 30 minutes thereafter. For tourists or occasional Downtown visitors. Credit cards and TAP cards accepted. (50% off Aug-Sep.)
The Metro Board and the LA City Council approved the pilot program last summer, but it won't be the first system of its kind for the LA area. Breeze Bike Share, the Hulu-emblazoned bike program, rolled out in Santa Monica and Venice last fall. For a comparison, that system charges $6 an hour, $20 a month and $119 a year. The two bike share programs unfortunately operate on completely different fare systems. However, Metro has plans for later phases of its program to share a single account system as well as affordable transfer rates between the two bike share systems as well as Metro rail and buses.