Quito explains $5.5 million budget for public bike service amid controversy

Quito's Municipality has set a reference budget of $5.5 million, excluding VAT, for a five-year public bicycle service contract, dubbed QuitoBici. This figure has sparked controversy on social media, with some users dividing the total cost by the planned 250 bicycles.

Alex Pérez, the Secretary of Mobility, clarified that the contract is for a service, not solely for purchasing bicycles. He explained that the budget encompasses various components, including the bicycles themselves, the installation of 25 stations across the city, technological platforms, software, and the ongoing operation and maintenance of the system for five years.

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We are emphatic, we are not contracting 250 bicycles, we are contracting a public bicycle service for the Metropolitan District of Quito. It's not as easy as saying 5 million to 250 bicycles.

"We are emphatic, we are not contracting 250 bicycles, we are contracting a public bicycle service for the Metropolitan District of Quito," Pérez stated. He further detailed the contractor's responsibilities, which include redistributing bicycles between stations, geolocation monitoring, maintenance, insurance, and replacing units as needed. The contractor will install all equipment and ensure the system functions correctly.

The QuitoBici system aims to connect areas between La Ofelia and Quitumbe, operating daily from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The 25 stations will be strategically located in five zones: South, Historic Center, Center-North Corridor, North, and Hipercentro and High North. This expansion represents a significant increase from the previous system, which had 120 bicycles, 6 stations, and covered only 7 square kilometers. The new system will cover 40 square kilometers.

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The contractor installs the equipment, platforms, software, bicycles. It is responsible for the operation of the system, balancing the bicycles and ensuring they work correctly. We specifically receive the service.