The renting-out space at metro stations for metro bikes to help improve last-mile connectivity for commuters will be a good source of revenue for Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. BMRCL Managing Director Mahendra Jain said the metro bike operator will pay ₹2.75 crore per year as rent for the dedicated space.
Metro bikes will begin operating from 36 metro stations on Friday. The inaugural event will be held at the Cubbon Park station.
“We had floated tender for metro bikes from all the stations. There were three bidders. The successful bidder will operate the bike taxis from 36 stations,” said Mr Jain. “It is one of the initiatives we have taken up to generate non-fare revenue.”
Sources said the operator may have a fleet of 3,000-4,000 bikes. According to BMRCL, Bengaluru will be the first city in the country to operate metro bikes on such a large scale. In addition to motorbikes, the operator will also provide bicycles. The BBMP, too, had proposed to provide 200 electric bikes for last- mile connectivity, but to date, there is little clarity on who will operate them.
