By Lookout Staff

July 12, 2016 -- Santa Monica will simplify the fees for its Breeze bike share program next month as it looks ahead to an integrated regional network, officials announced Monday.

After surveying riders and listening to comments, the eight current subscription plans will be streamlined into four offerings starting on August 1, officials said. Under the new fee structure, daily ride time for monthly, annual, and student subscribers will be extended from 30-60 minutes to 90 minutes.

“Breeze riders have shared their love of the program, but we’ve also heard frustrations about a confusing menu of plans and not enough daily ride time,” said Mobility Manager Francie Stefan.

“These changes simplify sign up for Annual and Monthly plans, and lay the foundation for a regional system where Breeze users can use their account to unlock a bike in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and beyond.”

The following plans will be offered starting next month:

Two annual plans at $119 for 30 minutes and $149 for 60 minutes will be simplified into a $99-a-year plan for 90 minutes of daily ride time, making it the cheapest option for users who take more than three 30-minute trips on average per month.

Two monthly plans will be simplified into a $25-per-month plan that offers 90 minutes of daily ride time.

The student plan will offer 90 minutes of daily ride time for $7 a month paid monthly instead of twice a year.

The Pay-As-You-Go plan will increase from $6 to $7 to match the hourly rates of partner bike share systems being established in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, UCLA and Long Beach.

In addition, the new Breeze Bike Share Employee Benefits Program "allows employers to bulk purchase Breeze Bike Share plans for their employees for as little as $19/year," officials said.

"This program will encourage people working in Santa Monica to commute on Breeze to help reduce traffic congestion created by midday trips."

Companies interested in participating should contact info@breezebikeshare.com or 310-828-2525.

Since its highly publicized launch last November, some 26,000 people have taken 140,000 bike trips totaling 329,000 miles, officials said. Santa Monicans account for 44 percent of the total trips taken in the system, while other LA County residents make up 23 percent.

In the first user satisfaction survey conducted in May, 78 percent of the 741 respondents gave the program an overall rating of very good or excellent, officials said.

City Council approved the simplified Fee Structure and Employee Benefits program at its meeting on June 14.