Bixi ridership down but managers say all is well with service

BixiMontreal numbers are down compared to previous years, but the bike sharing service's management says itis feeling confident about the future.

Figures released today byBixiMontreal's management showed asignificantdrop in the service'snumber of non-member or occasional ridersandcontinued adownward trend overthe previous two years.

The service had been used by 60,302 occasional riders as of July 31, 2014.

In 2012, thenumber of occasional riders was 95,670 and in 2013, it was 72,629.

The mid-season report put current membership at 33,715 users, down slightly from the previous two years.

In 2012,BixiMontreal boasted 35,581 members at this point in the summer. In 2013, that number was 36,519.

Despite the lower numbers, Bixis operators say theyre happy with how things are going.

The season is going well on all fronts, despite the weather and the uncertainty at its start, said MarielaineFarly, chair ofBixiMontreals board of directors.

That uncertainty stemmed from its former operators declaring bankruptcy in January and the City of Montreal's decision to step in and help keep the service alive as a newly created not-for-profit organization.

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Bixi Montreal's new management saidthe bankruptcy undermined public confidence in the service and they're working to rebuild that trust.

The service recently asked the city for another $350,000 on top of the $460,000 loan it gave Bixi Montreal to help get back on its feet in February.

City Hall willvoteon thatloan next Monday.