Bixi saved for the summer

The city of Montreal has intervened to make sure Bixis are available this spring by buying the bike-sharing companys local assets for $11.9 million.

We are just only recuperating the assets in Montreal, which are all the bicycles, all the stations, all equipment all their parts so that we can operate Bixi for the summer of 2014, said Pierre Desrochers, the president of Montreals executive committee.

• Bixi owes $50M, files for bankruptcy protection
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City officials say the transaction wont cost taxpayers any money the $11.9-million cost will be deducted from the money Bixi already owes the city of Montreal for a loan.

Bixi is Montreals number one creditor it owes the city more than $30 million.

The deal still needs to be approved by a bankruptcy court

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre says he wantsMontrealerstobe able to ride Bixi bicycles again beginning April 15.

Since its launch, Bixi has contributed significantly to the development of cycling in Montreal. The 25,000 daily trips recorded with Bixi demonstrate, undeniably, the attachment that Montrealers have developed to their bike-sharing program, Coderre said.

City officials say they will study the future of Bixi over the summer and decide its fate in the fall.

Desrochers says folding the bike-sharing company into the STM, Montreal's public transit agency,is not out of the question.