Indego
{{Short description|Bike sharing system in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States}}
{{for|the powered exoskeleton|Vanderbilt exoskeleton}}
{{distinguish|Indiegogo|IndyGo|Indigo}}
{{Infobox Public transit
| name = Indego
| image = Indego Logo.jpg
| locale = Philadelphia, PA
| transit_type = Bicycle-sharing system
| began_operation = {{Start date and age|2015|04|23}}
| ended_operation =
| system_length =
| lines =
| vehicles = 2,500
| stations = 250
| website = {{URL|rideindego.com}}
| ridership =
| track_gauge =
| operator = Bicycle Transit Systems
| owner = City of Philadelphia
| image2 = Philly Indego Bikeshare.jpg
}}
Indego is a public bicycle sharing system that serves parts of Philadelphia. Operations started on April 23, 2015, with 125 stations and 1,000 bikes. As of 2025, the system operates 250 stations and over 2,000 bicycles.{{cite web|url=https://www.rideindego.com/|title=Ride Indego homepage|date=January 3, 2025|access-date=January 3, 2025}} The system is operated by Bicycle Transit Systems, a Philadelphia-based company, with bikes provided by B-cycle and stations as well as bicycles owned by the City of Philadelphia.
History
In June 2008, Philadelphia City Council voted a resolution “requesting the Administration and the Deputy Mayor of Transportation and Utilities to commission a study to provide recommendations on location, demand, and usage for Public Use Bicycle stations for the entire area encompassed by the city limits of Philadelphia and to explore the various business models used for such systems”.{{cite web|url=http://www.bikesharephiladelphia.org/pdf/public%20use%20bicycle%20report%2061208.pdf|title=Legislative File ID 080581|date=June 12, 2008|website=bikesharephiladelphia.org|access-date=November 20, 2019}}
On February 25, 2010, the feasibility study voted by the city council was released. The study suggested “a first phase deployment of 1,750 bikes” in the central districts of the city.{{cite web|url=http://www.bikesharephiladelphia.org/PhilaStudy/PhiladelphiaBikeshareConceptStudyfeb2010.pdf|title=Philadelphia Bikeshare Concept Study|year=2010|website=bikesharephiladelphia.org|access-date= November 20, 2019}}
In December 2012, the City Council voted a $3 millions contribution to start the program, on the request of Philadelphia mayor, Michael Nutter.{{cite web|url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/business/20121208_Nutter_to_seek_Council_appropriation_for_Philadelphia_bike-share_program.html|title=Nutter to seek Council appropriation for Philadelphia bike-share program|last=Nussbaum|first=Paul|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=December 8, 2012|access-date= November 20, 2019}}
A strategic business plan was released by the city of Philadelphia in August 2013, prepared by Toole Design Group, LLC and Foursquare ITP.[http://www.bikesharephiladelphia.org/PhilaStudy/CompleteBusinessPlan.pdf Philadelphia Bike Share Strategic Business Plan][http://www.phila.gov/bikeshare/Documents/PressRelease.pdf Property owners invited to vie for bike share stations]
After a request for proposal issued in October 2013, Philadelphia announced on April 24, 2014 that Bicycle Transit System has been selected to plan and operate the system, while B-cycle will provide the bikes, the stations and the technology platform. Launch is planned for Spring 2015, with 60 stations and 600 bikes.{{cite web|url=https://cityofphiladelphia.wordpress.com/2014/04/24/mayor-nutter-announces-team-to-deliver-citys-new-bike-share-system/|title=MAYOR NUTTER ANNOUNCES TEAM TO DELIVER CITY'S NEW BIKE SHARE SYSTEM|work=City of Philadelphia's News & Alerts|access-date=12 April 2015}}
In Fall 2014, the city of Philadelphia surveyed residents for best station locations, receiving 10,500 public comments.{{cite web|url=http://www.phila.gov/bikeshare/Pages/default.aspx|title=City of Philadelphia: Bike Share|author=City of Philadelphia|work=phila.gov|access-date=12 April 2015}}
On February 11, 2015 the city announced the system would be launched on April 23, with Independence Blue Cross being the main sponsor.{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/2015-02-12/news/59048312_1_bike-sharing-program-bikes-and-docking-stations-independence-blue-cross|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150411225656/http://articles.philly.com/2015-02-12/news/59048312_1_bike-sharing-program-bikes-and-docking-stations-independence-blue-cross|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 11, 2015|title=Phila. will launch bike-sharing system in spring|work=philly-archives|access-date=12 April 2015}}
In April 2016, Indego announced 24 new stations and added 300 bicycles to the fleet.{{Cite web|url=http://planphilly.com/articles/2016/04/21/indego-gets-24-new-stations-300-new-bikes-and-more-for-first-birthday|title=Indego gets 24 new stations, 300 new bikes and more for first birthday|access-date=2016-07-14}} Indego also implemented a reduced payment plan for low income residents.{{Cite web|url=http://billypenn.com/2016/04/21/after-indego-slashes-prices-will-phillys-bike-share-finally-reach-the-underserved/|title=After Indego slashes prices, will Philly's bike share finally reach the underserved?|website=Billy Penn|date=21 April 2016 |access-date=2016-07-14}}
In November 2018, Indego deposited 10 e-bikes at various stations around the city. In May 2019, the company evaluated test run as successful and announced plans to add 400 more electric bikes along with 12 new stations.{{cite web|url=https://philly.curbed.com/2019/5/6/18531333/city-philly-indego-bikeshare-electric-bike|title=City to add 400 more electric Indego bikes|last=Merriman|first=Anna|website=Curbed Philadelphia|date=May 6, 2019|access-date= November 20, 2019}}
As of 2024, yearly ridership surpassed 1 million trips. According to a City of Philadelphia press release, Indego Bike Share ranks as the 6th highest-utilization public transit system in the State of Pennsylvania.{{cite web|url=https://www.phila.gov/2024-08-01-city-of-philadelphia-and-bicycle-transit-systems-reintroduce-single-ride-pass-for-indego-bikeshare-program/|title=City of Philadelphia and Bicycle Transit Systems Reintroduce Single Ride Pass for Indego Bikeshare Program|website=City of Philadelphia Press Release|date=August 1, 2024|access-date=January 3, 2025}}
Pricing
Indego offers three plans:
- Indego30, a 30-day membership for $20. It allows unlimited trips up to one hour (the user is charged 20 cents per minute after the first hour of each rental.) This plan can be paid with credit card online.{{cite web|url=http://www.rideindego.com/pricing/cash-program/|title=Cash Membership - Ride Indego - Philadelphia Bike Share|work=Indego|date=16 March 2015 |access-date=12 April 2015}} A discounted membership for low income residents with ACCESS cards is available for $5 per month.
- Indego365, an annual membership for $156, the equivalent of $13/month.
- Guest Pass, a 24-hour pass for $15. It allows unlimited trips up to one hour (the user is charged 20 cents per minute after the first hour of each rental.)
- Indego Corporate Pass Program through jawnt{{cite web|url=https://www.rideindego.com/business/ |title=Bike Share for Business |date=29 April 2019 }}
See also
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.rideindego.com/}}
{{Bicycle sharing systems}}
Category:Community bicycle programs
Category:Transportation in Philadelphia