Bengaluru: Those batting for cycles in the city will soon have their way, for the Department of Urban Land Transport is set to hand over permits to three private companies to set up a Public Bicycle Sharing (PBS) system. The companies will set up trial runs and the public can make use of the PBS system immediately.
The DULT has also written to the government seeking a formal launch, which has been scheduled for the end of October. There is even a proposal seeking to give the PBS system a more local twang, by renaming it Namma Trin Trin. This is still awaiting a decision by senior officials, however,
A senior official from DULT said they will be issuing permits to three private bicycle renting companies which will handle the bicycles. They are Pedl, Yulu and Metro bikes. "In another day or two, the permit will be issued and they will start the trials and simultaneously, the public can also start using it. We are just waiting for a reply from the government for the official launch. Two other private companies will also be part of PBS but they have asked for two months' time. Once they are ready, the permit will be issued to them too," the official added.
The official further also said that two clusters will be open for the PBS system. The first cluster, which is about 11 km, will cover M.G. Road, Vidhana Soudha, Banaswadi, Indiranagar and a few surrounding areas. The second cluster, which will cover some 17 km, brings Koramangala and HSR Layout under its ambit. "Initially, around 2000 bikes will be introduced and another 4000 will be added later. We will increase the nu mber of cycles gradually," the officer explained.
The BBMP, on its part, is also develping around 35 kilometre of cycle lanes and is in the detailed project report phase. DULT has identified another 125 kilometres, but this area falls under the BBMP. DULT is, therefore, giving the Palike inputs to carry out work.
