Tucson Electric Power is a key sponsor of Tucson’s new bike share program that allows riders to rent bicycles to explore the city’s urban core.

The Tugo Bike Share program is consistent with the company’s support for economic development and sustainability in our community. As a premium sponsor, TEP is pledging support over the next three years to help run the program.

“Having sponsors like TEP is really critical to making the system work,” said Ann Chanecka, the city’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator. “We would not be able to do it without sponsors. We are grateful for TEP’s support.”

Tugo started in November with a fleet of 330 bikes available to rent at 36 self-service docking stations mostly in areas surrounding downtown and the University of Arizona. See a map of docking stations.

Passes are sold for $8 per day, $18 per month or $80 annually. Discounts and cash payment options are available for limited-income residents.

The city of Tucson received a $1.3 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration to pay for the capital expenses, including bicycles and docking stations. But the city needed sponsors to support the program’s operation.

TEP is one of Tugo’s four premium sponsors.

“This program really helps improve the quality of life in our community,” said Ryan Anderson, a Senior Key Account Manager at TEP who previously worked on the program as a City of Tucson employee.

The program is run by Shift Transit with equipment from PBSC Urban Solutions, which has placed more than 50,000 bikes in cities worldwide.

Within the first few weeks, the city had already received requests for more stations, Ann said.

“As downtown and the urban core continue to develop, we’re seeing an increase in density. We need multimodal options to move around,” Chanecka said. “There are so many positive benefits to the bike share program. It helps boost the economy, it provides health benefits and it’s affordable.”

Users must register with Tugo and provide a credit card number, even if they have free passes. While day passes are available for 24 hours, users must dock their bicycles at a Tugo rack within 30 minutes of checking them out. If they go over on time, their credit card will be charged $4 for each additional 30 minutes. Read more about pricing.

Tugo employees are available to give demonstrations upon request. Find out more on the Tugo website.