Montreal has spent billions of dollars on its Bixi bike-sharing program since it started in 2008, but now its auditor general says he has serious doubts whether the service can continue. Canadian cities are trying to encourage travel by bicycle to reduce car traffic, reduce carbon emissions and to improve the health of citizens.
Bixi has been popular and New York and other cities around the world have adopted the model. Hopefully, they are not having the same financial troubles.
In 2011, Montreal’s city council approved a $108-million bailout package for the program to cover a budget shortfall. That included a $37-million loan to cover Bixi’s deficit, and another $71-million in loan guarantees to export and develop the system abroad.
Auditor General Jacques Bergeron tables his report on Bixi’s financial year ending in 2012 to Montreal city council today.
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