The streets of Philadelphia are set to become more accessible as the city's Indego bikeshare program reintroduces the Single Ride Pass today. This latest development aligns with a broader push for versatile urban mobility options, as the City of Philadelphia and Bicycle Transit Systems team up once again to enhance the transit system, which consistently sees ridership growth. According to an announcement from the City of Philadelphia, starting today, the single ride will become available alongside the current 24-hour, monthly, and yearly passes.
The move aims to provide a pragmatic solution for one-way trips that can be paired with other forms of transit and rideshare services. In a statement obtained by the City of Philadelphia, Waffiyyah Murray, Indego Program Manager, highlighted, "We are pleased to announce the return of Indego’s Single Ride Pass, which will be ideal for local commuters, tourists, and first-time riders alike." She further emphasized the City’s investment in the program and its commitment to responding to the community's need for more flexible pass options.
Indego's popularity has been on a steady climb, with the program breaking the million ride mark last year. In 2023, a noteworthy shift occurred when e-bike rides exceeded those of classic bikes, boasting 580,446 e-bike rides compared to 504,101 classic bike rides. Nate Bowman-Johnston, Indego General Manager at Bicycle Transit Systems, shared his excitement about the launch, saying, "We’ve heard from folks for a while that they want an affordable and accessible single-trip option." He spoke to the potential, he hopes to unlock for residents and visitors to explore Philadelphia in new ways.
The expansion plans for 2024 are ambitious, with Indego set to add 750 new docking points, spread across 35-40 new stations, as well as 375 additional e-bikes. Over 100 classic bikes will also join the fleet to ensure variety for pass holders. This growth aligns with the 2023 Indego Equity Plan, which has set a direction for the program's equitable operation and expansion. At the end of the expansion phase, the bikeshare system will boast more than 5,500 docks and nearly 3,000 bikes, servicing key areas in Philadelphia.
Detailing the specifics of the Single Ride Pass, the City of Philadelphia states that it costs $4.50 for 30 minutes of use on any classic bike, with an additional fee of 30¢ per minute for e-bikes. Riders must complete their journey within the 30-minute window, as the Single Ride doesn't allow breaking it into multiple trips. Further fees apply if the trip exceeds the allotted time. The increased fee for e-bike rides on the Single Ride Pass is an acknowledgment of the higher operational costs associated with maintaining the electric fleet.
