Two years after nearly going out of business awash in debt, the Bixi Montreal network is unveiling plans for more bikes and more docking stations over the next two years.
It will also make it easier to access a Bixi without forcing riders to sign up for long contracts.
On Wednesday, Bixi Montreal announced it would be adding 1,000 new bikes, and 80 new stations — at a cost of $9.5 million.
Rosesmont city councillor Marc-André Gadoury says it's the city's way of "showing the love" for everyone who has helped the Bixi service shatter records over the last couple of years.
"We're responding to the love people have shown for Bixi and putting money where Montrealers want us to," Gadoury says.
Since 2014, when the agency changed its corporate structure, Bixi has added more than 2,000 regular users, growing to 37,620 members, and the number of trips taken by its riders has nearly doubled.
Locations for new stations
Plateau Mont Royal: 15 (111 existing stations)
Ville Marie: 15 (117)
Southwest: 9 (33)
CDN-NDG: 5 (26)
Outremont: 2 (11)
Verdun: 5 (13)
Mercier Hochelaga Maisonneuve: 5 (22)
Rosemont Petite Patrie: 7 (76)
Villeray St. Michel Park Extension: 5 (36)
Ahuntsic Cartierville: 5 (10)
LaSalle: 1 (1)
Jean Drapeau park: 1 (4)
Roaming corporate events: 5 (5)