Uber today announced the expansion of its JUMP bike service area in Seattle and an increase in the number of JUMP bikes in its Seattle network. Seattle is one of the first cities to receive JUMP’s next generation bikes, which feature integrated cable locks and a QR code unlocking mechanism. Roughly 2,000 new bikes will be phased into the Seattle network in the coming weeks.
“The initial reception of our bikes in Seattle has been very positive among riders, so we’re excited to expand access. It’s something we’ve been pushing hard to do since launching in November,” said Nathan Hambley, a spokesperson for Uber in Seattle. “We hope the expanded service area and additional bikes, along with the promotions we’re currently running, help people get around Seattle during the Squeeze.”
In December, Uber announced it would offer $2.75 off Uber trips to and from select transit hubs through Feb. 15 along with waving the $1 unlock fees on JUMP bikes to help people avoid driving downtown alone while SR 99 is closed along the waterfront.
Seattle’s initial JUMP service area was limited to a zone near the downtown core due to bike supply limitations, although it was drawn to include the entire Central District Equity Area as defined in the Seattle Department of Transportation’s 2018-2019 Free Floating Bike Share Program Permit Requirements (see Appendix D).
“We have met the bike availability targets in the Equity Focus Area boundaries defined in the permit requirements even in our initial service area since launch, and we will of course continue to adhere to those requirements in our expanded service area,” added Hambley. “As we wrote in our permit application, we believe bike sharing can help make cities smaller by connecting neighborhoods and making it easier for residents to travel, no matter where they live or where we have to go.”
In the coming months, JUMP will expand its service area again to include the entire City of Seattle.
In order to encourage riders to leave bikes inside the service area, JUMP provides notice in-app and on its website of a $25 fee for locking the bike outside the system area or bike zone. Although JUMP has issued warnings, no Seattle customers have been charged the $25 fee for ending trips outside the initial service area.
JUMP also offers a Boost Plan for lower-income riders. Boost Plan participants receive 60 minutes of free ride time per day at a cost of $5 per month. Those who qualify for the ORCA Lift reduced-fare program or the Regional Reduced Fare Permit also qualify for the JUMP Boost Plan. Other plan details can be found at https://jump.com/cities/seattle/boost-plan/.
Last spring, Uber acquired JUMP as part of its mission to expand access to affordable, reliable transportation options available to request within the Uber app, and make it even easier for residents to get across town without relying on their own personal vehicle. Since 2017, JUMP bikes has been a leader in operating dockless electric bike share systems in the United States.
JUMP’s pedal assist bikes are now available in cities including Los Angeles, San Diego, Austin, Denver, the Staten Island and Bronx boroughs of New York City, Providence, Sacramento, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. as well as in Berlin, Germany. JUMP also has e-scooters available in Los Angeles, Austin, and San Diego and Atlanta.
Launch, phase 2 and phase 3 JUMP Seattle service area maps with SDOT-indicated Equity Focus Areas in blue available here. Photos of next generation JUMP bikes available here. Current non-promotional pricing for JUMP bikes in Seattle is $1 to unlock and 10 cents per minute to ride. More information at https://jump.com.
