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Somerville to join 10‑year regional Bluebikes operator contract; councilors push for new stations in underserved neighborhoods
Summary
The Finance Committee recommended approval to enter a contract of up to 10 years with the regional Bluebikes operator procured by MAPC. Councilors asked staff to pursue station additions in underserved parts of Somerville and to pass location suggestions to the mobility team.
The Somerville Finance Committee recommended approval on Tuesday to enter into a long‑term regional contract — up to 10 years — for the Bluebikes bike‑share system, with procurement handled by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) on behalf of 13 municipalities.
Alan Inacio, director of finance and community development in the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD), explained the MAPC is leading regional procurement for the next Bluebikes operator and the council’s vote would authorize Somerville to participate in a contract term of up to 10 years. He said the regional network will include 13 municipalities under the new contract cycle.
Several councilors raised requests for additional stations in parts of the city they consider underserved. Councilor Wilson, noting a lack of stations in the Mystic area, listed preferred locations including the Mystics/Healy School area, Lincoln Park, Argenziano/Capuano/Glen Park, 165 Broadway, and the Dilboy Stadium and pool. Director Inacio said the contract negotiations address network expansion and maintenance; he and city mobility staff will pass station requests to the MAPC and the mobility team for follow up.
The committee laid the item on the table and included it among the items recommended for approval in the consolidated roll‑call at the end of the meeting.
