BIXI Montréal Presents a Positive Financial Balance Sheet for 2019: Following BIXI's Busiest Season in its History, Marie Elaine Farley Passes the Torch After 6 Years as President Français
MONTREAL, May 20, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ - As she passes on the torch of BIXI Montréal's presidency in the coming weeks, Marie Elaine Farley presents this morning the balance sheet of the busiest season in BIXI's history as well as the financial results for fiscal 2019. With a surplus of close to $600,000 for this period, the 2019 balance sheet demonstrates the extraordinary enthusiasm of Montrealers for this active transportation mode. The bike-sharing service, strong symbol of the city and of its ability to innovate, has seen sustained growth in its clientele over the past six years, as sales have increased by more than 300% since the creation of the NPO in 2014.
SUCCESSFUL INNOVATIONS AND CYCLING NOW MORE RELEVANT THAN EVER
For BIXI Montréal's Chair of the Board of Directors, Marie Elaine Farley, the efforts made over the past few years to rigorously manage this Montreal asset and to develop an offer that is constantly better adapted to users' needs are bearing fruit. In fact, BIXI has been awarded an impressive 94% satisfaction rate by its clientele in 2019.
"All purchasing categories have experienced major growth in recent years, particularly in 2019, confirming BIXI's relevance as a partner for integrated mobility in Montreal. Increases of 146% in unique users and 81% in ridership since 2014 demonstrate the extent of the progress made. It is therefore with a sense of accomplishment that I will pass on the torch," mentioned Marie Elaine Farley.
For Montreal mayor Valérie Plante, "The work of the BIXI team has ensured its sustainability and has made it a key player in active transportation in the city. I would like to thank Ms. Farley for having served as BIXI's president for the past six years and for having contributed to the success of this essential Montreal asset."
Éric Alan Caldwell, member of the executive committee and in charge of urban planning, mobility and the Office de consultation publique de Montréal added: "We are proud to have extended BIXI to the citizens of six new boroughs in 2019, while considerably increasing the number of stations, docking points and bicycles available. We are also delighted to see the implementation of the first electric bicycles, for which the number will increase by 1,000 in 2020. In the current context, and in order to respect the social distancing strategies implemented by the government, BIXI is becoming an additional safe option, making citizens' daily lives easier. Last Friday, the City of Montreal announced the deployment of one of the world's largest plans dedicated to active transportation. More than ever, we encourage Montrealers to use bicycles and BIXI."
Mr. Caldell also made a point of thanking Ms. Farley, BIXI Montréal's administration members and its teams for their professionalism and the invaluable work accomplished since the creation of the organization: "You have shown vision in the development of the BIXI system in Montreal, and under the leadership of the last six years, it has become an indispensable transportation mode for the city, " he added.
2019: AN EXCEPTIONAL YEAR ON ALL FRONTS AND A NEW 10-YEAR AGREEMENT
Last year, BIXI Montreal and the City of Montreal signed a new 10-year agreement to expand the network and implement a long-term vision for the service. BIXI Montreal also set new records in terms of trips, sales and unique users. More than 320,000 people travelled more than 15 million kilometres, for a total of 5.8 million trips in 7 months of operation, an 8% increase in comparison with 2018. BIXI also experienced the busiest day in its history with 44,200 trips on May 26, 2019.
More and more companies are also participating in the BIXI Inc. program, which aims to promote active transportation among their employees. Group sales grew by 71% between the year the program was launched (2017) and 2019.
Three new cities (Montréal-Est, Laval and Mont-Royal) and six new boroughs will be added to the network in 2019: Lachine, Saint-Laurent, Montréal-Nord, Anjou, Saint-Léonard and Rivière-des-Prairies-Pointe-aux-Trembles. Some 60 new stations, more than 2,600 new docking points and 1,000 additional bicycles will also be added.
The end of the 2019 season was marked by the arrival of the first BIXI bikes' electric version, E-BIXI. The nearly 160 blue-coloured bikes quickly won over enthusiasts, who use them twice as much as standard bikes. The City of Montréal will be enhancing the current offering by adding 1,000 E-BIXI bikes and 70 new electric stations during the 2020 season.
RECOGNIZED EXPERTISE
As the second largest bike-sharing network in America, BIXI Montréal has developed unequalled expertise over the years, which has enabled it to become a reference point at an international level. Combined with tight management, this expertise has made it possible for the network to grow, continuously improve its service and develop numerous innovations.
Having conducted its activities rigorously since its creation in 2014, BIXI Montréal has put a lot of effort into developing the best management strategies, be it through a complete review of all operations, pricing, systems, procedures, agreements and the development of advantageous partnerships.
For complete documentation and BIXI's 2019 statistics, click here.
BIXI MONTRÉAL'S CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS GIVES UP HER POSITION
On May 27, at the end of the next Annual General Meeting of members, Marie Elaine Farley will be stepping down as BIXI Montréal's Chair of the Board of Directors, after six years marked by steady growth in the use of bike-sharing in Montreal.
"In 2014, the municipal administration gave me the mandate to manage an asset that is dear to the hearts of Montrealers, supported by a fantastic team of passionate administrators and committed employees. Six years later, I am extremely proud of the work that has been done to provide all users with a viable and reliable bike-sharing system. I have always been committed to preserving and putting this important asset, which belongs to all Montrealers, back on track.
I am leaving an organization whose exceptional results are the product of the concerted work of many people. I would like to express my gratitude to our managers, including the Executive Director, Mr. Christian Vermette, and our employees who have developed invaluable expertise in the field. I would also like to thank the members of the Board of Directors, including two directors who are also stepping down, Treasurer Éric Bergeron and Gilles Corriveau, with whom I have served on the Audit Committee over the past few years. Thanks to the support of all these people, the City, the elected officials and all its managers, BIXI is today a great source of pride," concluded Marie Elaine Farley.
ABOUT BIXI MONTRÉAL
BIXI Montréal is a non-profit organization created by the City of Montreal to manage the bike-sharing system in the city. In 2020, the network will include 680 stations (including 70 electric stations), 7,270 regular bicycles and 1,160 electric bicycles in Montréal, as well as in Westmount, Mont-Royal, Montréal East, Longueuil and Laval. For more information, you are invited to consult BIXI Montréal's website.
SOURCE BIXI Montréal
Bérengère Thériault for BIXI Montréal, 514-999-6493, [email protected]
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