Pronto! shuts down … but not like that
Feb 6, 2017, 3:12 PM
Seattle's updated snow response plans include plowing bike lanes. (Paul Metcalf, Flickr)
(Paul Metcalf, Flickr)
As the snow began to fall Seattle Sunday evening into Monday morning, a flurry of snow-preparedness messages also began to cover Seattle. Among that flurry was Seattle’s bike share, Pronto! The system shut down under all the snow.
Pronto! tweeted to its followers late Sunday night, notifying them that “the system will be shut down,” and that members should make alternative commute plans. It reaffirmed that notice Monday morning.
Related: Mayor Murray dumps Seattle bike share
#PRONTOALERT: Due to winter storm warnings, the system will be shut down TONIGHT & TMRW MORNING. Please make alternative commute plans! 🚲❄️️
— Pronto Cycle Share (@CyclePronto) February 6, 2017
#PRONTOALERT: Due to snow and ice, the system is temporarily SHUT DOWN. Please make alternative commute plans – be safe #Seattle! 🚲❄️️
— Pronto Cycle Share (@CyclePronto) February 6, 2017
The shutdown wasn’t likely to snarl any rider’s commute. Pronto! data has previously shown that riders primarily use the bike-share system in fair weather, and downhill.
Pronto vs. time vs. snow
If it comes as a surprise that Pronto tweeted, let alone was still operating, it shouldn’t just yet. The bike share has maintained an active Twitter feed in recent months as it gears down toward its closure.
The program has been mired in controversy and criticism ever since it launched in 2014. Since then it experienced mediocre ridership. It also found itself in the hot seat after misrepresenting its ridership numbers, and receiving two bailouts from the city. First, the city kept the bike share operating with funds from the Seattle Department of Transportation without city council knowledge or approval. Then the council spent $1.4 million to purchase the system entirely.
In late 2016, it seemed as if Seattle was going to ditch Pronto! and contract with a new company, Canada’s Bewegen. That contract would be for an all-electric fleet. By January 2017, that plan, too, was ditched.
But Pronto! has maintained its operations, and is slated to sunset in March. It has kept its Twitter feed flowing with helmet tips, rider information, and photos of its bikes at scenic points around town.
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