City of Philadelphia Receives Money to Expand Indego

The William Penn Foundation has extended a one-year, $1.5 million grant to the City of Philadelphia so that it can expand its popular bike-sharing program. Mayor Michael Nutter spoke happily about the expansion money, pointing out that Indego has been a tremendous success in just four months of operation. With the grant from the Penn Foundation, he said, the city will be able to expand service so that even more residents and visitors are able to access the convenient, healthful transportation option that is biking.

The Indego bike-share program has proven very popular.

Indego is a collaboration between the City of Philadelphia and Independence Blue Cross. Since the program launched in April, riders have taken some 250,000 rides around the city’s stations. With the grant the city will add 24 new stations to the 72 stations existing. The locations of the new stations will be selected partially on the input of city residents, with am emphasis on increasing convenient transportation to city parks and the waterfront.

Indego focuses on providing affordable rides for Philadelphians. For just $15 riders can purchase unlimited one-hour rides within a 30-day period. One-time rides can be bought for reasonable prices using either cash or a credit card.

The grant will hopefully work towards making Indego accessible and affordable for all Philadelphians, regardless of location or income. That is one of the program’s goals, and the new stations will bring bikes into underserved areas so that riders all around the city have a shot at getting cheap, convenient bike rides.

The William Penn Foundation distributes some $90 million in grants annually. The Foundation’s goal is to improve quality of life in the Greater Philadelphia region. They do this through advancing education for kids from low-income families, promoting initiatives that ensure a sustainable environment, and boosting civic life and philanthropy.