Good news and bad news off TfL this Christmas. Which would you like to hear first?
The good news is hundreds of new docking points are planned for 2015, as the scheme continues to successfully expand. In particular, Putney Pier, Vauxhall and Tower Bridge will see new stations, as will Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
A further 1000 docking stations are also in the planning stage, which could be delivered across London, by early 2016.
After a brief dip in 2013, the Cycle Hire Scheme has recorded record levels of usage, with over a million journeys being taken during each summer month.
Further good news is that pricing for any journey longer than 30 minutes has been simplified. It will now cost £2 per each extra 30 minute interval. Let’s be honest, that’s a nice improvement as I doubt anybody could tell you off the top of their heads what a 2 hour journey would cost currently.
Aside from simplification, which is the main thing being pitched by TfL, there are price drops for journeys over two hours long and up to 12 hours.
The bad news is that the price for a journey that lasts between 30 to 60 minutes will be doubling from £1 to £2. Also, if you were to hire a bike for 24 hours, you’d now be paying nearly double.
Fortunately, this affects a small number of users as 97% of journeys made by scheme members fall within the 30 minute included period. For casual members, which TfL defines as those who hire bikes using their bank card, the number drops to 76%. Clearly members are more conscious of keeping to the 30 minute inclusive limit.
Another change is that the £10, 7 day access period option will be removed. Members will still be able to either hire a bike for a £2 daily access or a £90 annual membership.
TfL have stated that the changes will not increase revenues from the Cycle Hire Scheme.
On the same date in 2014, the Cycle Hire Scheme access charge doubled from £1 to £2, so I’m sure many users will be pleased to see that 2015 will see no further increase in that area.
Barclays sponsorship comes to an end
2015 will also see the Barclays sponsorship of the scheme coming to an end. TfL have yet to announce a replacement sponsor, though Coca Cola is one of the brands that has announced their interest. It is expected TfL will announce the new sponsor in the summer of 2015.
Edit: We made a big error in our initial pricing table which showed incorrect pricing for 2015 journeys which are over 3 hours. Thanks to commenters for spotting this.
Well at least if coca cola take over we might see red superhighways, which is a much more attractive colour on the roads than that garish blue.
On the other hand, this might further add to the inconsistency of the cycle lane colour scheme across London, which also includes grey (i.e. colourless/tarmac coloured) and green at present.
Doesn’t London already have red and buff cycle lanes? Some cities do. I dislike the surface colouring because vehicles wear it away unevenly, but actual coloured tarmac can be OK.
When will they contactless- enable the docking stations, so you only need to put your card in on the first use? (Because the £150 deposit is more than there contactless limit.)
I would have been more likely to use the Boris bikes when I was in London if I could have paid with my Oyster card, but I didn’t want to have to get my bank card out and type in numbers (it sounds really lazy, but it was cold and I didn’t really want to take my gloves off!)
Do you have £150 on your Oyster card for the deposit? 8-o
Do you need a deposit for casual use? I thought you could just pay for the time you had the bike.
Sabrina – when you use your debit card TfL put a kind of “hold” on it so that if you did end up stealing the bike (like anyone would want to!) they charge you a fee. On your Oyster card they wouldn’t be able to charge you.
TfL have taken (and refunded, phew!) the £150 from me when the dock I used was faulty and hadn’t sent the bike details back to base.
Bet that was a shock to see on the bank statement!
I’d be onboard with this in a big way! Use my debit card all the time now on the underground.
I like the substantial price drops for longer usage. Ideal for spring and summer weekends pottering from A to B. Trafiic still somewhat irritating though. More cycle lanes please!!
The price table is not quite correct.
In 2015 the charges will be
Up to 6 hours (5.5 – 6 hours): £22
Up to 24 hours (23.5 – 24 hours): £94
But without the step change for intermediate times.
You are right, so sorry – correcting now and will post up an edited version!
Don’t forget there is a £2 service charge to use the scheme. The way I read the official press release was that EVERY 30mins now costs £2. Although they spin the wording so that the first 30mins of each day is a £2 registration cost and a “free” 30min ride.
Why isn’t this system the same price as a bus ticket? It should be.
Yep, using the words “free” is unhelpful, it is of course 30 minutes “inclusive”