Richmond’s bike share program has been shut down since its contractor abruptly closed operations in May. Now, VPM reports that the program could be making a return with a new software provider.
WeGoShare, a Portuguese software company, has announced a deal with the city to relaunch the program. According to VPM, the company signed a one-year, $55,000 deal to bring the program back. However, there’s no timeline for the return.
The WeGoShare website shows partnerships with several cities, many of which were formerly contracted with Bewegen. In 2019, Bewegen announced WeGoShare as an IT partner in its bike share operations.
RVA Bike Share launched in 2017 with a selection of membership options. With 22 stations around the city, the program was part of the growing number of micromobility options for navigating the River City. Before the closure, local administrators were working with community advocates to expand access by adding stations, particularly in Southside, and exploring a low-income program.
After announcing the shutdown in May, the city promised 30 days of free rides when the program got back up and running. We’ll keep readers updated on the relaunch efforts.