For the first time since its start 12 years ago, CapMetro is raising the prices for its Bikeshare program.

“We were not looking to you know, raise it and become super profitable,” CapMetro director of revenue and fares Brandi Mohler said. “This was meant to increase the sustainability.”

Last July, the transportation provider launched its fully electric bicycle fleet and put more than 500 electric bikes in Downtown Austin and the surrounding areas.

But after realizing the costs of maintaining and operating the e-bikes with all the docking stations, CapMetro started to consider changing the fares.

Bikeshare Fare Structure

Currently for pay-as-you-ride, it’ll cost $1.09 to start, then $0.23 per minute. Passes are listed as a set price for an hour, then $4.33 for every additional minute. One-day passes are $12.99, a month pass is $11, a year pass is $86.60 and the student discount rate is $12 a year.

But with the changes starting later this summer, CapMetro is raising some of those prices and shortening the ride time to just 30 minutes.

With the upcoming changes, pay-as-you-ride will cost $2.50 to start, then $0.25 per minute. The passes will be a set price for 30 minutes, then $0.25 for every additional minute. The new one-day pass will cost $10, a month pass will be $25, an annual pass will be $150 and the student yearly pass will be $75.

Why these changes?

CapMetro said after looking at what other transportation authorities and companies in the industry charge for bike passes, the organization decided it was necessary to make some changes.

“We looked at the data, we made very intentional raises because we are the lowest in the country, currently,” Mohler said.

After looking at ridership, CapMetro found that the average ride time is just 13 minutes. So by lowering the standard ride time, the company says it will sustain the life of its equipment.

“This is to encourage more frequent docking,” Mohler said.

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