Chicago's Divvy Program Saw Income Drop Following South, West Sides Expansion
In 2016, Chicago’s Divvy bike-sharing program generated $1.97 million in income, down 31 percent from $2.84 million in 2015, according to the Chicago Tribune. The lower figure comes in the wake of the program’s $1 million investment in the South and West sides of the city.
The Divvy program set up locations in South and West side neighborhoods in an effort to have a more diverse presence in the city. When first launched, the program faced criticism for focusing on predominantly wealthy neighborhoods, according to the report.
Lower ridership in South and West side neighborhoods can be attributed to barriers such as fewer bike lanes and cost, according to the report.
The West Side neighborhood Austin has 14 Divvy stations, which resulted in 1,339 sides from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017. In comparison, Lincoln Park has 36 Divvy stations, which supported 452,727 rides during that same time period, according to the report.
Lower ridership in and income from these was expected. Sean Wiedel, assistant commissioner with the Chicago Department of Transportation, said “a much slower and more thoughtful process” will be required to find the key to increasing ridership in South and West side neighborhoods, according to the report.
Although Divvy income was down in 2016, the program expects 2017 to match its 2015 income of $2.84 million, according to the report.