Aiming to promote use of bicycle and provide an alternative transport system, Chandigarh smart city limited (CSCL) has called for an expression of interest to introduce public bicycle sharing system.
It is a move under smart city project and the authorities have planned to buy 10,000 bicycles for 600 busy points in the city. The residents will be commuting from one point to another by cycles, which will have GPRS system. A control room will be set up to monitor the movement of cycles. The expression of interest has to be sent by February 22.
Bicycle sharing points would be introduced at Sector 17 plaza, Panjab University, Sukhna Lake, Rose Garden, PGI, bus stand, among other busy places of the city.
The Mysuru City Corporation was first city to introduce India’s first public bicycle sharing service last year in February.
Speaking to HT, a senior official of CSCL said, “Scheme will certainly reduce the motor vehicular movement in the city and help in reducing pollution level. Instead of opting for a taxi or a bus, one can take a bicycle from one point and drop it on the next point, nearest to their destination.”
“We are planning to hire bicycles and will introduce a membership card, which will be monthly or yearly passes. Users will have to just swipe the card to rent a bicycle. UT administration has already taken up the construction of bicycle tracks in the city. A mechanic, supervisor, cleaner, security guard and an usher is also expected to be there to man the bicycle sharing point, he said.
{{/usCountry}}“We are planning to hire bicycles and will introduce a membership card, which will be monthly or yearly passes. Users will have to just swipe the card to rent a bicycle. UT administration has already taken up the construction of bicycle tracks in the city. A mechanic, supervisor, cleaner, security guard and an usher is also expected to be there to man the bicycle sharing point, he said.
{{/usCountry}}According to the terms and conditions, companies that are eligible to apply for this should have a prior experience for setting up and operating atleast one such bicycle sharing system of at least 500 cycles for minimum three years. It should presently be in operation. Also, to have a current annual turnover equivalent to Rs 20 crore or more.
In 2015, a similar plan was proposed. However, the project could not be materialised as the company concerned did not agree to the terms and conditions of the municipal corporation.