Pune takes on e-scooters, in an attempt to curb air pollution

The civic body has made available scooter charging point near bus rapid transit system (BRTS) bus station in Pimple Saudagar

After the success of bicycle sharing scheme, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) on Friday launched the e-scooter sharing scheme under the area-based development scheme of Smart City project.

The first ride will be free for 15 minutes, and later Rs 1.5/ minute will be charged. As per the civic officers, a fully-charged scooter can run for 60 kilometres. (HT PHOTO)

“We want to reduce pollution in the city, hence, under the Smart City project, we have decided to launch an e-scooter sharing system to help commuters enjoy pollution-free rides,” said Nilkanth Poman, joint chief executive officer, Pimpri-Chinchwad Smart City project.

As of now, the scheme is being implemented at Pimple Saudagar and Pimple Gurav, with the help of Leap, a Bengaluru-based company. The first ride will be free for 15 minutes, and later Rs 1.5/ minute will be charged. As per the civic officers, a fully-charged scooter can run for 60 kilometres.

The civic body has made available scooter charging point near bus rapid transit system (BRTS) bus station in Pimple Saudagar.

According to the civic officials, as the bicycle sharing scheme received a good response from the residents, PCMC decided to adopt an e-scooter sharing scheme.

“Initially as a pilot project, we have introduced 20 e-scooters, and after checking the response of residents, we will add 60 more in a phase-wise manner,” said Poman.

The civic body had adopted bicycle sharing scheme on August 25, 2018, under which ‘Yulu Bicycle’ company has provided 500 bicycles in 45 different parts of the city, and ‘Hero Bicycle’ company has provided 300 bicycles at 30 different parts of the city.