Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, and Somerville Expand Income-Eligible Bike Share Membership


3/23/2018 • 6 years ago

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Hubway at City Hall

Hubway, the metro-Boston public bike share system, is expanding the ways that low-income residents can qualify for $5 per month or $50 per year memberships, the cities of Boston, Brookline, Cambridge and Somerville, and Hubway operator Motivate, announced this week.

Income-eligible residents of all four municipalities can now obtain significantly discounted memberships and join the Income-Eligible Program by presenting proof of participation in any of the following public assistance programs:

  • Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children (EADC)
  • Free or Reduced Lunch (in Brookline, Cambridge, or Somerville)
  • Fuel Assistance (LIHEAP)
  • Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)
  • MassHealth
  • Pell Grants
  • Public Housing (e.g. Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, or Somerville Housing Authorities)
  • SSI/SSDI
  • SNAP/EBT
  • Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC)
  • WIC

Participants in the programs listed above can sign up at locations in each city, available by visiting https://www.thehubway.com/pricing/income-eligible/guided-registration. Individuals who do not participate in any public assistance program may still qualify based on their individual or family income and can register in-person at the locations listed online. General registration details for the Income Eligible Program are available at https://www.thehubway.com/pricing/income-eligible.

EBT card holders can continue to register online for discounted membership at thehubway.com/SNAP. 

The Income-Eligible Program is part of Hubway and the municipalities’ ongoing commitment to improve bike share access among traditionally underserved populations in the Boston metro area.  The program provides the discounted memberships to income-eligible individuals over the age of 16 and includes unlimited 60-minute trips, rather than the standard 30-minute trips.
"Ensuring equity in our transportation network is a key priority of Go Boston 2030, the City of Boston’s long term transportation plan," said Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "In Boston, we are working to make sure transportation for all residents is equitable, reliable, and affordable, and this upcoming expansion of our bike share system will help Boston continue to meet its goals, and ensure excellent transportation choices for everyone."

"Equity is vital to the health and vibrancy of Brookline, the surrounding municipalities, and the region, and the expanded income-eligible program will help us achieve these goals by ensuring all residents have access to active transportation. We are excited to work with Motivate, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, and our partner municipalities to help promote the success of this program,"  said Neil Wishinsky, Chair of Brookline Select Board.

"Cambridge is committed to fostering equity and promoting access to sustainable transportation,” said Iram Farooq, Cambridge Assistant City Manager for Community Development. "The expanded Income-Eligible Program furthers these goals, making it easier and more affordable for residents, commuters, and visitors to travel sustainably throughout the four communities." 

"Riding a bicycle can be one of the most cost effective ways to get around an urban environment like Somerville, and expanded Hubway membership opportunities will bring needed equity to bike sharing at an important time," said Mayor Joe Curtatone. "With nine new Hubway stations and an additional two miles of protected, low-stress bike lanes on the way this year, residents will have a better opportunity to travel by bike throughout Somerville – and beyond. The expanded income-eligible program will help more residents benefit from those infrastructure investments."

"This expanded Income-Eligible Program will make Hubway more affordable for thousands of residents -- opening up countless new connections across the Boston area," said Jay Walder, President and CEO of Motivate. "Hubway has been a pioneering model for bike share systems in cities across the country, and it continues to lead the way today in ensuring access for all residents -- no matter their income level." 

This spring, the Hubway system will be rebranded as Blue Bikes, as a result of a major new sponsorship agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. By the end of 2019, there will be 3,000 Blue Bikes on the streets — up from the 1,800 that exist today — and more than 100 new stations. Blue Cross’ support will allow for upgrades to the system overall, with brand new bikes, new mobile app features and more valet service at busy stations. The Income Eligible Program will continue to operate as Hubway transitions to Blue Bikes this spring.

As part of the partnership, Blue Bikes will continue to be a public transportation system, owned by the municipalities of Boston, Cambridge, Brookline and Somerville, and operated by Motivate. 

About Hubway
The Hubway system is regional public transportation by bike, owned by the municipalities of Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, and Somerville and operated by Motivate, a national leader in bike share. With more than 190 stations and 1800 bikes, the system has more than 15,000 members across the region. Since launching in July 2011, the riders have taken more than 6.5 million trips. More information about the system, including station locations, can be found at thehubway.com.