BIXI marks one-year anniversary of Toronto launch with series of surprise events for riders in five downtown locations
TORONTO, May 3, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - BIXI announced today its one-year Toronto ridership results. Since its launch in May 2011, BIXI has achieved its goal of 5,000 members and surpassed 48,000 casual riders. Torontonians have taken more than 556,000 BIXI bike trips around the downtown core, with an average bike trip of 25 minutes and 5 KM per trip. The peak hours for riders are between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
"BIXI Toronto is a big success. We are extremely pleased that Torontonians have embraced this alternative mode of transportation and that bike sharing is starting to become a part of their daily lives," said Mr. Alain Ayotte, Chief Executive Officer of PBSC Urban Solutions. "With those results after one year, we are excited to see the second year results and expect another amazing year."
BIXI Toronto is also the first Canadian system available year-round. Torontonians have really responded in a positive way to the service being available throughout the winter season. More than 123,000 trips were completed during the winter months which represents 22% of the first year usage.
BIXI Toronto wants to thank its sponsors TELUS, a major sponsor in Toronto and DESJARDINS GROUP, associate partner of the program.
"Through this partnership, TELUS and DESJARDINS GROUP have shown a real interest in the quality of life in the city of Toronto and it is largely due to the contributions of these partners that BIXI Toronto exists," said Mr. Ayotte.
"Initiatives such as BIXI are part of our "give where we live" culture at TELUS to support a healthier lifestyle and a cleaner environment and Torontonians should be very proud of the first year results," said Anne-Marie LaBerge, vice-president of Consumer Marketing Communications at TELUS. "TELUS is thrilled about the success of BIXI Toronto and that Torontonians have embraced a healthier mode of transportation."
BIXI is celebrating today the first year anniversary of BIXI Toronto by thanking Torontonians for their loyal support. BIXI users will be welcomed at five downtown locations with surprise events, gifts and giveaways throughout the day.
For more information on today's events, please visit the BIXI's Facebook page.
About BIXI and the Public Bike System Company
The Public Bike System Company (PBSC) is the organization behind the concept, development and operation of the first large-scale bike sharing system in North America, the BIXI. Destined to become a complementary means of public transportation, this service allows citizens to borrow a bike from a given station, carry out trips and return the bike to any station in the network.
PBSC offers a highly advanced bike sharing system on three continents, to private campuses and cities, such as London (UK), Melbourne (Australia), Minneapolis, Washington and Arlington (USA). PBSC also offers realistic solutions as to alternative transportation and consultant services, both technical and operational.
About TELUS
TELUS (TSX: T, T.A; NYSE: TU) is a leading national telecommunications company in Canada, with $10.4 billion of annual revenue and 12.7 million customer connections including 7.3 million wireless subscribers, 3.6 million wireline network access lines and 1.3 million Internet subscribers and more than 500,000 TELUS TV customers. Led since 2000 by President and CEO, Darren Entwistle, TELUS provides a wide range of communications products and services including wireless, data, Internet protocol (IP), voice, television, entertainment and video.
In support of our philosophy to give where we live, TELUS, our team members and retirees have contributed more than $260 million to charitable and not-for-profit organizations and volunteered 4.2 million hours of service to local communities since 2000. Eleven TELUS Community Boards across Canada lead TELUS'0 local philanthropic initiatives. TELUS was honoured to be named the most outstanding philanthropic corporation globally for 2010 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, becoming the first Canadian company to receive this prestigious international recognition.
About Desjardins Group
Desjardins Group www.desjardins.com is the leading cooperative financial group in Canada with assets of $190 billion. Drawing on the strength of its caisse network in Québec and Ontario, and its subsidiaries across Canada, it offers a full range of financial products and services to its 5.6 million members and clients. Desjardins specializes in Wealth Management and Life and Health Insurance, in Property and Casualty Insurance, in Personal Services, in Business and Institutional Services. As one of the largest employers in the country and among Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2012TM, Desjardins is supported by the skills of its 44,645 employees and the commitment of nearly 5,400 elected officers. A new education and cooperation program is now available to Desjardins members and the general public. For more information, visit www.desjardins.com/co-opme.
Image with caption: "Stunt rider Trevor Bodogh shows off some of his moves in celebration of BIXI Toronto's first birthday. Sponsored by TELUS, the popular bike sharing service enjoyed great success in its inaugural year with Torontonians logging 550,000 rides in the 2011 season. (CNW Group/Bixi Toronto)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120503_C3782_PHOTO_EN_13108.jpg
Marie-Hélène Houle
PBSC Urban Solutions
Phone : 514 789-2494, poste 2053
Cell Phone: 514 567-6287
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