More stations planned to stay open for winter
A December 2017 article reported that Boston, Somerville and Brookline would join Cambridge in keeping many Hubway stations open for winter 2017–2018. Cambridge had operated a winter pilot in 2013 and continued year-round service.
Seven street-side Boston stations and three Brookline stations were expected to move temporarily for snow removal. Approximately 25 of the network’s 185 stations would close because alternative locations or licensing arrangements were unavailable. These were that winter’s plans, not a current station map.
The network and its history
The report described Hubway as owned by Boston, Brookline, Cambridge and Somerville, administered by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council and operated by Motivate International. It traced the idea to Boston Bikes in 2007 and the launch to July 2011.
Reported milestones included more than 100,000 rides in the first ten weeks, more than 3,600 annual members after six months and over six million trips by November 2017. The fleet was described as more than 1,800 bicycles across 185 stations, with more than 14,000 annual members.
Connections to universities, jobs, neighborhoods and other transportation were the program’s stated aims. Stations near Ink Block, the Seaport, the Wharf District and the Museum of Science were examples in the article, not proof of present station locations or travel times.
Tariffs as reported in 2017
The historical price list included an $8 one-day pass, a $15 three-day pass and 30-minute rides before additional charges. Monthly membership was described as $20 and annual membership as $99, with a different $10-per-month annual payment option. The report also mentioned a $1,200 lost-bike charge.
A $5 annual low-income program included longer rides and a helmet under the account’s stated eligibility conditions. Boston Medical Center’s Prescribe-a-Bike initiative was described as another route to subsidized membership. Those prices, benefits and requirements are not present offers or current enrollment instructions.
Bicycles, docking and the app
The article described adjustable step-through bicycles with three gears, racks, lights, reflectors, fenders and hand brakes. Its explanation of docking included a confirmation light, a damaged-bike alert and redistribution of bicycles among stations.
The app was described as showing bicycles and docks, selling passes, unlocking bicycles and displaying ride information. These are historical service descriptions, not instructions to use an old app or assume an empty or full station can be handled under the same rules today.
Stations and expansion ideas
A typical station was described as a solar-powered kiosk with a map and 19 docks occupying roughly six by 51 feet. The article discussed lighting, sidewalk clearance, utilities and public input as siting considerations.
Boston planned approximately 70 additional stations beginning in 2018, including service in underserved neighborhoods. The account contrasted Hubway’s docks with a station-free, pedal-assisted pilot in Revere and considered other municipalities, including Arlington, Belmont, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Newton, Quincy, Waltham and Watertown. These were historical expansion discussions, not evidence that every proposal went forward.
Historical account attributed to the original Boston City Properties article. Underlying records and later outcomes have not been freshly verified.