Philadelphia Receives $1.5M For Bike Share Expansion
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia has received a one-year, $1.5 million grant to expand the city's bike sharing program, the mayor's office announced Tuesday.
The grant from the William Penn Foundation will go towards the installation of 24 new Indego stations, adding to the 72 others already in place in neighborhoods throughout the city.
"I am proud that Indego has been such a huge success during just four months of operation," said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. "With the popularity of the system increasing during such a short period of time, it's fortuitous that the William Penn Foundation has stepped up with generous support so that we can expand Indego's network to reach even more residents and visitors. Philadelphia is a very bike-friendly city and there's no better way to get around for a reasonable price than on an Indego bike."
Indego is an initiative of the City of Philadelphia. Since launching in late April, the program has facilitated more than 250,000 trips between the 72 stations.
The city says locations for the new stations will be selected with emphasis on increasing the accessibility of parks and waterfronts, and with the input of residents.
"Indego is a valuable new amenity in Philadelphia, and its immediate popularity among residents and visitors speaks to the demand for active transportation options in the city," said Andrew Johnson, program director for Watershed Protection at the William Penn Foundation. "And, whether riders are commuting or recreating, Indego also provides new opportunities to access the city's beautiful waterways and adjacent parks via Philadelphia's substantial and growing network of trails."
Riders can sign up for a $15 pass that provides an unlimited number of one-hour bike trips for a 30-day period. One-time passes and memberships can also be purchased.
