"I like the convenience of it:" Milwaukee’s Bublr Bikes gear up for 2015 season
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- If you ask the folks at Bublr Bikes they say summer starts today. On Monday morning, March 16th they pulled their bikes out of winter hibernation and cleaned up the docking stations to kick off the 2015 season. They've also lowered their prices and plan to expand.
On Monday morning, local leaders, bike enthusiasts and the Bublr owners joined together in a ceremonial locking of the bikes at Schlitz Park. This is the second season for Bublr here in Milwaukee.
"We learned a ton in our short season last year and one of the things that we really learned was that we had the opportunity to make our pricing really simple," said Bublr Executive Director Kevin Hardman.
This year, bicyclists can grab and go for $3 every half hour. Bublr also reduced the price on their passes. What used to cost $20 a month will now be $15.
"So for the regular users, the residents, unlimited 60 minute trips -- it`s a great deal," said Hardman.
Bill Koller, a monthly pass holder, took advantage of the reduced price.
"I'm happy with it. I think it's reasonable," said Koller.
Koller uses Bublr for quick trips to run errands or visit friends.
"I like to be able to just, if I`m out, to pick up a bike and just go to another location downtown. I like the convenience of it, I like the concept," said Koller.
At this time, there are 10 Bublr stations around downtown Milwaukee. But Bublr Bikes says its riders will start to see new stations popping up throughout the season.
"We`re going to go in every direction except east, that`s the lake," said Hardman.
Last season, 5,000 trips were taken. Bublr hopes by building more stations that number will keep on rolling.
"We`re doing this to create a transportation option for all Milwaukeeans and in order for us to do that we have to expand, and go to where people live," said Hardman.
The Bublr Bikes system plans to grow to 100 stations with 1,000 bikes in the city within a few years.