BIXI Toronto to launch May 3

The press release. Note that Ford and Minnan-Wong voted against BIXI, but how could they have seen that it would be popular? Now M-W is a supporter: BIXI is "an exciting new cycling initiative" and a "great example of a public-private partnership":

The City of Toronto and the Public Bike System Company are proud to announce that the official launch of the BIXI Toronto program will take place on May 3 with 1,000 bikes, 80 BIXI stations and 1,500 docking points in Toronto's downtown core. City Council approved the BIXI Toronto program last May.

“The BIXI Toronto program is an exciting new cycling initiative that will encourage more bicycle trips in the downtown core. It is also a great example of public-private partnership to benefit Toronto residents and visitors," said Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong (Ward 34 Don Valley East), Chair of the City's Public Works and Infrastructure Committee.

The Public Bike System Company (PBSC) is the organization behind the concept, development and operation of award-winning BIXI - which operates bike sharing systems on three continents and is the first large-scale bike sharing system in North America.

“We are happy to count Toronto among the three Canadian cities where the BIXI service will be available in 2011," said Roger Plamondon, Chairman of the PBSC board. "More than 1,200 Torontonians purchased an annual membership last fall, five months before the program's launch. We are convinced that Torontonians will quickly adopt the BIXI bikes as a convenient and economical way to get around.”

Designed to complement public transit, the BIXI bikes are intended to be used for one-way trips of less than 30 minutes. BIXI bikes can be picked up or dropped off at any of the 80 downtown bicycle docking stations 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Regular users of the system will purchase a pass for periods of time ranging from one month to one year and will receive a BIXI key. Members can use their BIXI key to take out a bike at any station in the network. Non-members can purchase a 24-hour pass. There is no trip fee if the bicycle is returned to a bike station within 30 minutes. A fee is charged for any trip longer than 30 minutes.

ING Direct released this statement regarding BIXI sponsorship:

Media Statement - ING DIRECT clarifies sponsorship of BIXI Toronto
TORONTO, March 16 /CNW/ - ING DIRECT Canada today released the following statement regarding sponsorship of BIXI Toronto:

"Unfortunately during contract negotiations last November, we were unable to reach an agreement with BIXI on the terms of the sponsorship, which changed over time. At that time both parties agreed to end negotiations. Nonetheless, we continue to support shared transportation in Toronto and are pleased that the program will launch in May as planned." - Brenda Rideout, Chief Marketing Officer, ING DIRECT

Seems that a big reason for the delay in finalizing BIXI Toronto had to do with the fall-out in negotiations with ING DIRECT. Now we just need to find out who are the actual sponsors.