Citi Bike prices to rise for 5th year in a row — operator cites tariff, expansion costs

Citi Bike is raising its prices in January for the fifth year in a row, citing the continued expansion of the bike-share program and the impact of recent tariffs.

Starting on Jan. 5, e-bike fees and traditional-bike overage fees for annual members will rise to 27 cents per minute in New York City and 23 cents in New Jersey, according to Citi Bike, which is operated by Lyft. And on Jan. 28, the cost of annual memberships will jump to $239 a year, a roughly $20, or 9%, increase from the current amount.

The new fee cap for annual members will be $5.40 for up to 45-minute e-bike rides entering or exiting Manhattan, according to the service. For non-members, e-bike fees and traditional-bike overage fees in New York City will jump to 41 cents per minute. In New Jersey, they’ll rise to 35 cents per minute.

Citi Bike said growing its network across the five boroughs, as well as “unexpected tariffs” this year, have resulted in higher operational costs.

“This adjustment reflects our continued investment in expanding Citi Bike to underserved neighborhoods and maintaining the largest bike share system in North America, without taxpayer subsidies,” Citi Bike General Manager Patrick Knoth said in a statement. The service said it is adding 250 stations in the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn.

Street safety advocates reacted to the news by pushing for public funding for the program.

“New Yorkers deserve a reliable, expansive and affordable bike-share system so that New Yorkers from all walks of life have access to this critical transportation option, no matter where they live or how much money they make,” Ben Furnas, executive director of the nonprofit Transportation Alternatives, said in a statement.

Members will continue not to pay any unlock fees to start their rides, according to Citi Bike. Those are about $5 for non-members.

For reduced-fare members, monthly memberships will still cost $5 a month, but e-bike fees will go up to 14 cents per minute. Overage fees for traditional bikes will rise to 27 cents per minute for these members.