The Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) announced today that Alta Bicycle Share is the finalist to be the vendor of their forthcoming bike share system.
Read the official statement below:
PORTLAND, Ore. — In March, the City of Portland released a Request for Proposals for the operation of a public bike share system. Three companies responded. The Portland Bureau of Transportation announced today its Notice of Intent to Negotiate and Award the contract of Portland Bike Share to Alta Bicycle Share.
“Alta Bicycle Share is a good, homegrown company that has emerged as an international leader in operating bike share systems. Advancing them as the finalist allows the City to enter into discussions with this company,” Portland Mayor Sam Adams said. Alta manages bike share systems in eight U.S. cities.
Bike share systems let people check out a bicycle to ride from one point in the city to another for a small fee. In cities across the globe, bike share systems have proven popular and successful by giving residents and visitors a fast, inexpensive and easy transportation option. People use bike share to get to work, run errands, connect to transit, visit friends and family or enjoy the city.
A committee with representatives from Metro, the Oregon Department of Transportation, the Community for Equity and the Portland Bureau of Transportation reviewed the three proposals, interviewed two of the proposing firms and then recommended awarding the contract to Alta.
Once a notice of intent is posted on the City’s website, the next steps are to hold the process for seven days to give vendors not selected an opportunity to protest, negotiate a contract and then bring the contract to City Council for authorization.
Regional leaders approved the use of $2 million of federal transportation funds in 2011 for a bike share system in Portland. These funds will leverage private investment – in the form of sponsorships, membership revenues and user fees – to cover costs.
Transportation Bureau staff held more than forty meetings with stakeholders to introduce bike share and discuss station locations and partnerships. Bike share is operating in 28 U.S. cities.
I’ll have more on Monday (I’m away from my desk for the rest of the weekend.)