NEW YORK The much-touted bike share program that some speculated would transform public transit in New York City has been delayed until March 2013.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg says bugs with the software that runs the planned system of thousands of two-wheelers is to blame for the hold-up. The program was supposed to launch this summer.
“The software doesnt work. Duh, Bloomberg said on his morning radio show earlier today. Were not going to put it out until it does work.
Shortly after Bloomberg made his announcement, the Department of Transportation sent out a news release saying the system, known as Citi Bike, would go live with 7,000 bikes next spring.
“New York City demands a world-class bike share system, and we need to ensure that Citi Bike launches as flawlessly as New Yorkers expect on Day One,” DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan said in a statement explaining the delay.
In the news release, the DOT said the bike share operator “continues work to conclude manufacture and testing of the high-performance software necessary to operate the new system, which is being tailored for New York City. The system uses new solar power arrays and circuit boards, and engineers will continue to thoroughly test data communications, power management and payment systems to ensure overall system performance.”
While the $41 million system is privately funded, Sadik-Khan acknowledged a growing public interest in the program.
A bike share program in Chattanooga, Tenn., operated by the same company charged with getting the city’s rolled out, Alta Bicycle Share, also was delayed because of software bugs. The program launched month.
