Citi Bike Manager Resigns

[hrmjustin]

LAURA KUSISTO and ANDREW TANGEL

Citi Bike's general manager is leaving as city officials have grown increasingly frustrated with the Portland, Ore., company that runs New York City's bike-share program, according to people familiar with matter.

Justin Ginsburgh submitted his resignation about three weeks ago, according to the people familiar with the matter. That was before revelations leaders of the financially strapped program needed tens of millions of dollars to expand to new neighborhoods and increase its appeal to tourists.

The city is now pushing to restructure the program, which is run by a subsidiary of Alta Bicycle Share Inc. of Portland, Ore. The company operates Citi Bike through its subsidiary NYC Bike Share.

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304418404579463740691474688?mod=WSJ_NY_News_LEFTTopStories&mg=reno64-wsj

[Boom Sound 416]

1. What's your opinion of citi bike?

[hrmjustin]

2. I think it needs to be expanded beyond Manhattan.

I think as the weather gets better it should improve.

I do think there is one downside. We now have peopke who don't know what they are doing riding bikes.

[Moliere]

9. Here on the ground in NYC

The bike program is great because it gets people out of the buses, subways and cabs. Great for tourists because they can get the scenic view when going place to place

They receive a fraction of the funding of the east river ferry (which is also great) and have anywhere from 4-10x the ridership of that ferry.

Not sure where the tens of millions number comes from but if they want tens of thousands of bikes and associated infrastructure. with maintenance staff and repair costs, rebalancing teams and trucks, it adds up. Don't doubt there's waste and corruption there somewhere.

Oh and they're in Brooklyn too

[Squinch]

3. I wonder why it will cost "tens of millions" of dollars to expand the program.

Seems a lot for bikes.

I also wonder how much Citi underwrites, that it needs tens of millions on top of that. That plus the use fees.

[hrmjustin]

4. I think when the warm weather comes innthey will get more riders.

They should expand it beyond Manhattan.

[Squinch]

5. I agree. And I like the program. I am just wondering why the proposed expansion costs so much.

[hrmjustin]

6. they are likely milking it for all they can.

[Squinch]

7. Yep.

[hrmjustin]

8. I hope the city council pushes for answers.

I have never been a fan of the council but they do have their moments.

[hrmjustin]

10. Experts Bullish on Citi Bike

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304418404579465813008514116?mod=WSJ_NY_News_LEFTTopStories&mg=reno64-wsj