CHANDIGARH: Around 300 more e-bike have arrived for the public bike sharing project in the city. A total of 1,250 bicycles are supposed to reach in the second phase of the project ending on October 31.
The work to install batteries along the docking stations has started. Charging of all bicycles will be monitored through an application by a command and control centre.
“The second phase time is till the end of October, but two more months can be extended on the request of the company. However, our priority is to bring all bicycles at the schedule time. Officers are in constant touch with the company management and their employees and taking feedback daily,” sources said.
Earlier, the company had to take away the bicycles from the docking station for charging. Now, with the installation of charging stations beginning, bicycles will be charged at docking station points only. “Charging will be monitored through the app only. Other aspects will be managed through the dedicated command and control centre,” an official said.
More than 90,000 people have registered themselves under the project, according to rough estimates. “The public response to the project is immense. People are coming forward to avail the facility daily,” sources said.
Rs 20 for an hour long cycle ride
The charges for the bicycle are Rs 20 for one hour and Rs10 for halfan-hour. The charges are same for both battery-operated bicycles and manual bicycles. The authority has different modes of payment.
A total of 5,000 bicycles will be provided along with a network of 617 docking stations spread throughout the city, giving last mile connectivity to the users. This size of the project will make it India’s largest and densest public bike sharing network, according to officials. The project will be developed in four phases having features of pedal-assisted ebikes along with charging facility at docking stations.
