Bixi needs Montrealers to 'show their love': Denis Coderre

Bixi will ride again this year under the name of Bixi Montreal, a new not-for-profit organization set up to manage the local operation.

In what Mayor Denis Coderre called a big pilot project, Bixi Montreal has been given $4.3 million contract to run the popular bike-sharing service.

The city is also giving Bixi Montreal a $460,000 short-term loan and a $165,000 grant so that the organization can get started immediately on rolling out for the 2014 season.

But, he said, the city cant do it alone. He said more people needed to use Bixi to make it a viable business, imploring Montrealers to show your love for Bixi.

Coderre said he hopes to launch the Bixi season in mid-April.

Bixi moves past troubled history

The bike-sharing services former parent company landed in hot water recently, causing it to file for bankruptcy after its international arms dealings fell short of other cities expectations.

The Public Bike System Company, known in French as the Socit de vlos en libre-service (SVLS), owed $50 million to various creditors, including the City of Montreal.

The city bought Bixis local assets for $11.9 million in February, deducting it from the amount SVLS owed on a loan from Montreal.

Coderre said the creation of Bixi Montreal would allow Montrealers and tourists to enjoy a quality service this season.

One of our priorities consisted of convincing quality individuals to form an organization that would be able to efficiently organize Bixis local activities, he said.

Suzanne Lareau of Vlo Quebec and Marie-Elaine Farley of the Chambre de la scurit financire will sit on Bixi Montreals board of directors along with five other people.