[saket77]

As a part of Ranchi Smart City project, looked after mainly by Ranchi Smart City Corporation (RSCCL), this March Ranchiites got a special gift: an app based bicycle sharing scheme for the city.

Under this scheme, people in the city can pedal their way through the town riding German made rented bicycles after completing app based registration. Operational from 3rd of March 2019, the service can be availed for a nominal charge of Rs. 5/- after subscription. The first 30 minutes of the ride will be free, though.

The state cabinet had okayed the cycle sharing project in August 2017. To come true this project, a total of 120 cycle docks are being prepared across the city where one can pick or drop bicycles as per their convenience. Out of these 120 docks, more than 60 are already operational now, accommodating around 600 bicycles. 600 more cycles shall be inducted soon in the second phase. The bicycles have been imported from Germany as CKD units.

Ahmedabad-based private agency M/s Chartered Bikes which will run the scheme for six years from the day of launch, was also entrusted with the responsibility of transporting these CKD units from Haldia Port of Bengal to Ranchi (where they were imported) and thereafter assembling them.

Going back to the roots, the German bicycle rental startup Nextbike had sealed an exclusive joint venture with Ahmedabad-based transport startup Chartered Bikes to launch digital cycle sharing services way back in 2016. Founded in 2004 by Ralf Kalupner with just 20 cycles (bikes), Nextbike today has more than 35,000 own brand bicycles, spread across 18 countries and four continents. India cities like Bhopal & Pune have already rolled out such services partnering with the same service provider.

The Chartered Bike app is available on both Android and iOS platforms for download and use. To incorporate users not having access to smartphones, tickets can be purchased to use the cycles. This is a much welcome step to make short travels cheap and free from pollution. Also, cycling is known to be good for health and what better if now that’s easier on the pocket too.

One can book a cycle after completing the subscription which costs Rs. 30 per day or Rs. 200 a month or Rs. 1000 for a year, as per the discretion of the user. Once subscribed, the first 30 minutes of all rides are free. Thereafter a nominal charge of Rs. 5/- per hour shall be levied. A penalty of Rs. 5000/- shall be levied on users damaging or not returning the cycle. All the Cycles have been armed with GPS receivers so as to ensure their whereabouts and safety. The cycles have features that allow them to be locked and unlocked via app by generating a unique barcode as the key. After registration, one can track the availability of bicycle at the nearest dock.

The scheme was supposed to be launched in November, but owing to some operational challenges, the project was delayed by a few months. Finally the service was launched on 03rd of March following a pedaling marathon, named as ‘The Ranchi Cyclothon’ to create some extra buzz about the eco-friendly mode of commute. A (pre)-estimated 400 participants were supposed to have taken part in the launch and the Cyclothon.

At the end, I shall leave you with a few pictures of the infrastructure.

[Leoshashi]

Parking rogues misuse smart cycle stands

he problem of illegal parking is impeding the smooth functioning of smart cycles-for-citizens project in the capital.

Ahmedabad-based company Chartered Speed, which is operating the app-based bicycle sharing scheme, has written to Ranchi Smart City Corporation Ltd about people forcefully parking their vehicles at the cycle stations.

In the letter sent three days back, the company has urged Ranchi police, traffic department and Ranchi Municipal Corporation to ensure action against those openly flouting parking rules.

“Ever since we launched the smart cycle service, we have been facing a series of problems. As part of the promotion, we offered free rides for a week. It was a bitter experience. Vandals damaged as many as 150 cycles. A number of cycles were stolen, but were recovered later as they were fitted with GPS tracker. Now we are facing a different problem. Our cycle stations are being used for unauthorised parking. Our security guards were manhandled a number of times.

Ranchi traffic SP Ajit Petetr Dungdung said the department had not received any letter from the state urban development department so far.

“We will surely take action if we get a specific directive,” he said.

In the first phase, Chartered Speed had launched 600 cycles that rolled out from 60 stations on March 3.

In the next phase, an equal number of cycles will hit the road and an additional 60 stations will be set up.

https://www.telegraphindia.com/state...hi/cid/1687911