Pune: The second phase of the bicycle sharing scheme in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area will be soon started by the Pimpri Chinchwad Smart City Ltd (PCSCL). The first phase was successfully implemented in Pimple Saudagar and Pimple Gurav. Now, PCSCL is planning to make a street scape, i.e designated cycle track of 22 km.
The PCSCL had started the scheme in Pimple Saudagar and Pimple Gurav areas in August, along with other forms of non-motorised transport under the Smart City Mission.
Smart City CEO Neelkanth Poman said, “The scheme has received a good response with approximately 3,300 rides being undertaken per week. PCSCL has opened its source for any bicycle operator to come and operate under the smart city mission. Yulu Bikes Pvt Ltd has already started its operations in Pimple Saudagar and Pimple Gurav. Initially, 300 bikes had been deployed and were running on the streets. We are planning to go up to 1,000 bikes very shortly.”
Poman further said, “Major road redevelopment works are undergoing across the city under the PCSCL in a joint venture with Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). The street scape, i.e, designated bicycle tracks of 22 km will be a part of this project.”
“For the second phase of the scheme designed across the city, 10 cycle monitoring companies have been invited for the meeting, which is scheduled in this week After this, further action will be decided,”he said.
After Diwali, the scheme is expected to start in all areas of Pimpri-Chinchwad,” Poman added.
The rates applied by Yulu Bikes Pvt Ltd in Pimple Saudagar to Wakad and in Pimple Gurav are: Rs 5 for 30 minutes, if a package of Rs 100 is taken, then a 30 minute ride will cost Rs 3.30. The added incentives are that if a person keeps the bicycle at home from 6 pm to 9 am, i.e. overnight, then no charges are applied, but if the person starts using it within this time period, then the usual charges will apply. This rule even applies if the person keeps the bicycle from 6 pm on Friday to 9 am on Monday. “We have 28 stations from where these bikes can be taken in these two suburbs,” Poman said.
He added that, they have also involved traffic police department and asked them to ensure the safety of riders.
