BIXI IS ROLLING FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM CAPITAL TO THE AMERICAN CAPITAL!

MONTREAL, Sept. 20 /CNW Telbec/ - Following a successful pilot project in the Canadian capital of Ottawa, and the triumphant rollout in the English capital of London, BIXI is now rolling, as of 10:15 this morning, in the streets of the American capital of Washington (D.C.).

In fact, the Public Bike System Company provides the city of Washington and its neighbour, the city of Arlington, Virginia, with a complete system of 1,100 bikes and 114 stations (100 in Washington, 14 in Arlington) as well as technical and customer services. "That a prestigious city such as Washington has chosen the BIXI system as well as its outstanding call center based in Montreal, confirms what many already assert, that this public bike-sharing concept is 'The Best in Class'," states Mr. Roger Plamondon, chairman of the board for the Public Bike System Company.

The American capital thus adopts the BIXI Public Bike System as a practical and eco-friendly alternate solution to traditional modes of urban transport, confirming BIXI's international success once more. "BIXI was already present on three continents, and it is now also in two major capitals!" proudly declared Alain Ayotte, president of the Public Bike System Company.

Representatives of the Public Bike System Company, the mayor of the city of Washington, Mr. Adrian M. Fenty, the director of the D.C. Department of Transportation, Mr. Gabe Klein, as well as numerous dignitaries and bike enthusiasts were on hand this morning to celebrate the arrival of the service, called Capital Bikeshare.

About BIXI

Launched in the spring of 2009, BIXI is the public bike system for the City of Montreal. This service allows residents to take a bike from any station, ride it away and return it to any other station in the network. The system now boasts 400 stations and 5,000 bikes throughout the territory of Montreal.

Honored with numerous awards

BIXI is now a fixture on Montreal's urban landscape and an undeniable success. In November 2009, the management team behind the project earned Gold at the Canadian Public Sector Leadership Awards and received the same honor from the Institute of Public Administration of Canada. The system had already won considerable renown on the international stage, including placing 19th in Time magazine's list of the best inventions of 2008, a Gold Edison New Products Award in the Energy and Sustainable Development category, along with a bronze from the International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) in the Transportation category. On a final note, the City of Montreal, thanks to the rollout of BIXI and the implementation of 50 kilometres of new bikeways (in 2009), is a finalist for the Sustainable Urban Transportation Award, contest organized by the Transportation Association of Canada.

For further information: Bérengère Thériault, Head of Communications and Public Relations, O: 514 789-2494 # 2032, M: 514 497-9380