WASHINGTON — Capital Bikeshare’s rates have gone up for the first time in its history.
Starting immediately, one-day memberships go from $7 to $8; three-day memberships, from $15 to $17; a 30-day membership, from $25 to $28; and an annual membership from $75 to $85 (if you’re paying in monthly installments, they’ll go from $7 to $8 a month).
The rate increase, which was announced in March, is the first since the program began in 2010, Capital Bikeshare says. In that time, it’s grown from 114 stations to nearly 350, and the organization says the extra revenue will go toward the associated increase in costs, including labor costs, as well as new programs such as temporary bike corrals in high-ridership areas and “rebalancing” — the distribution of bikes so that there are always some available bikes and some empty spots to dock.
Capital Bikeshare is removing the $101 authorization hold on credit and debit cards for short-term memberships bought at stations, saying it’ll help with accessibility.
The rate increase affects all participating jurisdictions — D.C., Arlington County, Alexandria and Montgomery County.
