Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
UPDATE: Citi Bike May Raise Rates
By
Lauren Evans
Published Mar 7, 2014
Modified Mar 7, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Scoboco/flickr
By
Lauren Evans
Published Mar 7, 2014
Modified Mar 7, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
[UPDATE BELOW] Despite fevered assurances that the bankruptcy of Citi Bike tech manufacturer Bixi would not impact business, it seems the bike share program is having some financial difficulties of its own. Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg revealed yesterday that the program may be forced to increase its generally affordable rates in order to stay solvent.
“We’re talking to them,” Trottenberg said yesterday, according to the Daily News. “I would put it this way — all options are on the table. I think everyone agrees it turned out to be a real bargain for New Yorkers, who used the system twice as much as users of other cities.”
Currently, a Citi Bike annual membership costs $95, and a 7-day pass costs $25 and a day pass is $9.95.
Former Mayor Bloomberg conceded in October that despite its popularity, the program had yet to turn a profit. Trottenberg confirmed at a hearing last month that an announcement regarding Citi Bike's expansion was forthcoming, but made no mention of a rate increase, nor the program's apparent financial distress.
But Trottenberg's statements yesterday imply something of a course correction. “It’s not going to be in the immediate future, but we’re going to see if we can figure out the financial and operational issues and set them on a good path,” Trottenberg told the tabloid. The DOT has not yet responded to a request for comment.
Citi Bike is not publicly funded, though a survey conducted by advocacy group Transportation Alternatives in November show that 91 percent of users would be amenable to changing that.
Caroline Sampanaro, Transportation Alternatives' Senior Director of Campaigns and Organizing, said at the time that certain funding streams from the federal government are transit-specific, meaning utilizing such funds would not imply taking money away from other needs.
"I think we're in a new time, we're in a place where bike share has been on the ground for awhile, and I think that’s opened up some opportunities to tweak things and make them better," she said.
Update, 4:45 p.m.: A spokesperson for DOT said that no increases have been scheduled, and that the program will remain operational moving forward. Below is the relevant testimony from yesterday's City Council hearing:
New York City’s Citi Bike program has been a tremendous success. Since its launch in May 2013, riders have taken 6.7 million trips and over 98,000 New Yorkers have signed up for annual membership. We know there is a real appetite to expand this program. However, NYC Bike Share, the private company that operates the system, is facing a number of financial and operational challenges. We are working as diligently as we can to help the company resolve them and strengthen the program going forward.
Tagged
citi bike
department of transportation
dot
Lauren Evans
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Are NJ schools unconstitutionally segregated? It's back to the courts to decide.
Mediation didn't resolve the years-old case. A ruling for the plaintiffs could upend how public schooling works in New Jersey.
By
Colleen O'Dea
Published Oct 23, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. ET
Early Addition: New Jersey considering a ban on chewing gum because of microplastics
Because New Jersey is just trying to keep its people safe, here are your early links: Early voters get a spooky sticker, Tom Hanks returning to Broadway, a time capsule letter to the NYC mayor in 2026 and more.
By
James Ramsay
News
Early Addition: New Jersey considering a ban on chewing gum because of microplastics
Because New Jersey is just trying to keep its people safe, here are your early links: Early voters get a spooky sticker, Tom Hanks returning to Broadway, a time capsule letter to the NYC mayor in 2026 and more.
By
James Ramsay
Queens mother charged with murdering her son after failed suicide attempt, NYPD says
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Your guide to voting in New York's 2026 elections for governor and Congress
By
Walter Wuthmann
,
Jon Campbell
and
Brigid Bergin
Forest Hills Stadium can keep its concerts under deal with neighbors
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .