The SMS-driven public bike-sharing (PBS) project centred around Kochi metro stations is set to be expanded to other popular destinations using more cycles from next month.
Launched in May this year, 50 cycles are now being deployed under the project in the metro stations between Edappally and Maharaja’s College Ground. The project, facilitated by Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), is being operated by Athi’s Bicycle Club with the branding support of Axis Bank.
“The six month-agreement with Axis Bank over the branding of cycles and cycle racks is set to expire next month. Besides trying to renew that agreement, we are also trying to source more corporate sponsorships to introduce more cycles and expand the service beyond metro stations to other popular destinations in keeping with the users’ demand,” said M.S. Athirup, founder of Athi’s Bicycle Club.
In terms of cycle users, the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium metro station has emerged the most popular in the past six months with 252 users as per the SMS logs. This is followed by the M.G. Road metro station with 177 users, Edappally 162, Palarivattom 137, and Changampuzha Park metro station with 51 users.
The project, which is yet to take off in full throttle, aims at scaling up the sphere of operation beyond metro stations in the next phase. KMRL’s initial plan to promote usage of bikes by giving commuters the opportunity to win credit points for using bikes against a maximum set limit of 100 hours a month is yet to materialise. The idea was to allow users to redeem these points through its Kochi One prepaid card powered by Axis Bank. “In view of its unique model, we, however, will continue to facilitate the project,” said KMRL sources.
Already, Athi’s Bicycle Club operates two other racks at North and Menaka Junction without the branding support of Axis Bank. “There is great public demand for expanding the service to popular destinations, including bus stations and railway stations. Initially, we will focus on reviving operations at Menaka Junction using corporate sponsorships for which initial talks have already been held,” said Mr. Athirup.
More bike and bike racks can be added in due course after analysing the usage pattern and scale of growth as it is possible to generate data for analysis by verifying the SMS log for each pick-up and return of bike. Athi’s Bicycle Club’s only source of income remains the branding of bikes and bike racks. Each user can use bikes for a maximum period of 100 hours in a month and the club will lock the membership of those who violate this condition.
Members can just pick up the bike from any rack by texting the rack and bicycle code to the number 96455-11155 on which they receive a code for unlocking the cycle. Similarly, an SMS should be sent to the number 9744011777 on returning the cycle. New members will be asked for name, address, e-mail and profession before they are sent the code. Helpline service is also available at 9744511777.
