More bicycles to be added in Metro stations
Posted on: 27/Feb/2018 8:08:49 AM
The Chennai Metro Rail Limited, or CMRL, is now set to expand its fleet of vehicles after receiving an overwhelming commuter response to the bicycle sharing scheme launched at four metro stations. Within the next couple of months, CMRL will add 50 more bicycles in select stations to cater to the growing demand among commuters for last mile connectivity.
A CMRL official said, We have received a good response from commuters and there is more demand for our cycles. In Nehru Park station alone, we have 90 registered members and another 20 are waiting to get registered. The new set of cycles will be kept in stations that have good footfall and demand for cycles.
Taking inspiration from Kochi Metro Rail, CMRL launched a free bicycle scheme in four stations in mid-2017. At present, there are more than 45 bicycles at Ekattuthangal, Nehru Park, Thirumangalam and Anna Nagar Tower stations. Commuters can pay a refundable deposit of Rs 3000 to take a bicycle from any of these stations and have to return it at the same station.
Says the official, If they are taking it home for the night, they have to bring it to the station the next day, show it to an official and then take it again.
Some commuters said the bicycle service could be made more user-friendly. If they give us the option of leaving the bicycle at any metro station, it would save us the hassle of riding to the same station to leave it, they say.
