Seattle to buy, expand city’s struggling bike-share program

SEATTLE – Seattle officials have decided to take over the underused Pronto bike share program for $1.4 million with plans to expand the program next year.

The Seattle Times reported that the City Council voted Monday to approve the purchase of Pronto, which has failed to meet ridership and revenue expectations since it launched in October 2014.

The Seattle Department of Transportation is looking to expand the system in 2017 to include more stations and possibly electric bikes.

Council members approved the Pronto deal with stipulations requiring the department to better serve low-income and minority residents and to complete downtown bike-lane projects before expanding the bike-share program.

A new operator for the program will be selected by Mayor Ed Murray and the council.