8D Technologies proposes mediation to PBSC – BIXI™
2012/05/29

Montreal – May 29, 2012 – Although 8D Technologies continues to denounce the recent decision by PBSC (Public Bike System Company) to exclude 8D from all other cities that will deploy the BIXI bike-sharing system, and this in spite of the agreements in place between 8D and PBSC, 8D would today like to take concrete steps to attempt to resolve the impasse, and in so doing contribute to preserve the reputation of the BIXI project and to ensure its continuity.

Given the delays observed in the Chattanooga (Tennessee) deployment, this being the first BIXI deployment that uses the new technological solution that PBSC had an American company redevelop, 8D Technologies, the creator of the original technological solution, proposes to hold mediation with PBSC as soon as possible to resolve the dispute opposing them.

It must be remembered that all BIXI deployments up until now, excluding Chattanooga, are based on 8D Technologies' software and hardware solutions. 8D's solutions are currently deployed with BIXI on 3 continents, notably in the cities of London (UK), Melbourne (AUS), Minneapolis, Boston, Washington DC – Arlington VA (USA), Montréal, Ottawa – Gatineau and Toronto (CAN). 8D's wireless, solar-powered 8D BSS (Bike Sharing System) technological solution represents the core intelligence of the BIXI system (with the exception of the Chattanooga system), and includes a complete back-office software solution that covers all aspects of payments, management and operation of the bike-sharing systems. 8D's solution also includes the payment terminals and the electronic boards (for the terminals and the bike docks), as well as the Spotcycle™ mobile application.

In light of the difficulties encountered with PBSC's new technological solution, as reported in the press, which has delayed the deployment of the Chattanooga bike scheme for an indefinite period of time, and which also raises concerns for the deployments of the next bike schemes in New York and Chicago, 8D believes that it is in the best interest of all parties involved to consider concrete solutions in order to render the BIXI system operational in the short-term.

Having left the door open to an out-of-court settlement concerning the disputes that oppose it to PBSC, 8D believes that in view of the last events in Chattanooga, PBSC should be in a problem-solving mode and seek out common ground with 8D Technologies.

At the same time, 8D is reaching out to the many different stakeholders implicated in the BIXI project, these being PBSC, the city of Montreal, and Alta, PBSC's American operating and marketing partner, by offering its help to them, in parallel with mediation, to put the BIXI project in Chattanooga back on track.

8D believes that the city of Montreal has a role to play in resolving this impasse. The Mayor has always been an ardent defender of BIXI, and a major player in the success of the project. 8D believes it is now time for him to intervene and bring PBSC to order, to insure the continuity of BIXI, this being in the context where PBSC is financed by public funds, via a loan of about $34 million from the city of Montreal, and has two city of Montreal public servants who sit on its board of directors.

8D remains convinced of the necessity to protect investments and the BIXI bike-sharing project. Therefore, 8D hopes for a quick response from the various bodies concerned to its proposal of meditation and collaboration, so that BIXI can remain an ambassador of Quebec's genius around the world.

Meanwhile, having no other alternative, it is with regret that 8D will continue with the legal steps taken in order to resolve the conflict with PBSC, in the wake of the lawsuit filed by 8D against PBSC in Superior court of Quebec last April 27th.

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About 8D Technologies (www.8d.com)
8D is a world leader in the development of the most advanced, intelligent wireless, Machine-to-Machine (M2M), multi-function point of sale (POS) solutions. 8D's unique green urban transportation management and payment solutions include the award-winning city parking system (8D APMS™). This solution features 100% solar-powered wireless terminals that can manage both street parking and municipal bike-sharing services. It is the same software and hardware technology platform which is at the heart of 8D's parking solution, that propels the award-winning BIXI bike-sharing solution on three continents, in cities including Montreal (CAN), Ottawa-Gatineau (CAN), Toronto (CAN), London (UK), Melbourne (AUS), Washington DC-Arlington VA (USA), Minneapolis (USA) and Boston (USA).

8D's solution features real time secure wireless payment and remote control as well as management of all terminal functions, from payment to enforcement – and full monitoring of terminals and sensors – in wired and wireless environments. At 8D Technologies, "Terminals are just the beginning..."

Contact :

Jade St-Laurent
Marketing coordinator
jstlaurent@8D.com
514.906.1212 x 338