Electric bikes, a pilot experiment launched by MahaMetro eight months ago, have piqued people's interest, with a revenue of Rs 2.26 lakh generated to date.
MahaMetro began operating environmentally-friendly vehicles in the city in November 2020 after signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with private firm KHS Associates. Officials claim that 638 e-scooter rides have been completed so far, with over 1,000 people downloading the mobile application.
In accordance with the MoU, the e-bike operator has provided bikes to commuters at various locations. The bike is classified as non-motorized transportation and does not require a driver's licence.
The use of e-bikes is entirely app-based; citizens must download the app and enter their Aadhar card and electricity bill details. The app has hourly and weekly fare systems. The average cost per minute is Rs 1.
Officials added that once a reservation is confirmed through the app, commuters can go straight to the e-scooter hub and unlock the vehicle by scanning a code on their phones.
Currently, the airport, Ajni, Khapri, Sitabuldi, Lokmanya Nagar, Wadi, W building (Mihan), Manish Nagar, CRPF, and other hubs all have two e-bikes each. The city has a total of 22 e-scooters.
Jhansi Rani Square, Vasudev Nagar, Chhatrapati Square, and other areas are expected to see an increase in e-scooters. An e-bike costs approximately Rs 72,000. The company stated that taking the Metro rather than a two-wheeler is now less expensive.
According to Brijesh Dixit, the managing director of MahaMetro, the Metro only charges Rs 10 for travel over 10 km. They urge citizens to use the Maha Card, a common mobility card, in greater numbers.
The card eliminates the need for cash when purchasing tickets. It can be charged at Metro stations or online. MahaMetro is now offering a 10% discount on every ride to encourage citizens to use the card.
