The authorities are considering a proposal to set up dockless stations for bicycles deployed under the public bicycle sharing (PBS) system Trin Trin in the city.
Bicycles equipped with smart locks that are operated with mobile phones can be parked in a designated area, which are not only geo-fenced, but also monitored by CCTV cameras, said Deputy Commissioner of Mysuru D. Randeep here on Monday.
The dockless station, a new concept in technology, is reckoned to be the first such experiment with PBS system in the country.
The idea of dockless stations gained momentum after the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT), which is implementing the PBS in Mysuru, approved the setting up of 13 stations on popular demand in addition to the existing 52 docking stations in the city.
The dockless stations will bring down the cost of setting up docking stations, which require kiosks and other necessary infrastructure.
The procedure
Explaining the procedure for borrowing and returning bicycles from dockless stations, Mahesha H.S., project manager, Green Wheel Ride, which is executing the PBS, said the registered users can borrow the bicycles from the dockless station by releasing the smart lock through an option available in the Trin Trin app on their mobile phone. Similarly, they can lock the smart lock through the app. The bicycles and the smart lock are GPS-enabled and the dockless stations are also monitored by CCTV cameras.
In the event of malfunctioning of mobile phones or app, the authorities are planning to integrate the smart lock with the smart card given to the registered members of Trin Trin. “Users can always call the Trin Trin helpline using another phone for assistance,” Mr. Mahesha said.
If the dockless stations are approved by the authorities, including DULT and Mysuru City Corporation (MCC), all the existing 500 bicycles will be equipped with smart locks and the existing docking stations will also be gradually converted into dockless stations, said Asha, an official from Green Wheel Ride.
