MMRDA ties-up with Yulu Bike to provide first and last-mile connectivity

Mumbai, India (Urban Transport News): Taking forward its motto to provide first and last-mile connectivity to the commuters, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) on 31st January 2020 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with an e-bike operator Yulu Bike that will provide e-bikes to the Metro commuters on nominal rent on pilot basis. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Metropolitan Commissioner RA Rajeev and the executives of the Yulu Bike Private Limited in the august presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, PWD minister and the Chairman of the Authority Eknath Shinde at the MMRDA office in BKC, Mumbai. According to the MoU, the e-bike operator Yulu Bike will provide a total of 500 e-bikes at 25 different locations in BKC and at Bandra (East) and Kurla stations, where commuters will avail of this facility 24x7 to reach their destinations. After signing the agreement, a fleet of nice-looking bikes was showcased before the Chief Minister and PWD Minister, who appreciated the green initiative. The Yulu Miracle has been categorized as non-motorized transport, hence, users would not require a driving license. As per the initial plan, the fare system will be Rs. 10 for unlocking the cycle and thereafter Rs 10 per 10 minutes. There will be various recharge vouchers available with bonus money of up to 40 to 50 percent on the recharge amount for loyal commuters. The commuters will have to drop the e-bikes at various docks provided in BKC, Bandra (East) and Kurla stations. The operation of these e-bikes is completely app-based. Commenting on the facility, PWD minister Eknath Shinde said:

"MMRDA is committed to increasing the accordance with the objective of providing the last mile connectivity and the operator will provide public Bike sharing system in Bandra Kurla complex, Bandra (East) and Kurla (West) suburban Railway stations."

MMRDA Commissioner RA Rajeev said that the project of signing the agreement with bike manufacturer will lead to actual deployment of solutions which will be scaled up by MMRDA for all Metro Lines as they get completed to provide delightful commuting experience to the Metro travelers. Listing the benefits of the e-bikes, Rajeev said,

This initiative will improve not only first and last-mile connectivity and extend the reach of public transport to promote space efficiency, but will also improve the urban environment and reduce congestion and improve air quality.

Importantly, MMRDA has initiated the Station Access and Mobility Program (STAMP) in collaboration with the World Resources Institute (WRI) India Ross Centre for Sustainable Cities and Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) with other partner agencies Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), Mumbai Traffic Police (MTP), Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL) and Maharashtra State Innovation Society (MSInS) in Mumbai. Hemant Gupta, co-founder and chief of operations, Yulu Bikes said:

We have identified zones in BKC and are expecting to roll out the project in a week or 10 days. We will initially start with 150-200 bikes and gradually increase the number based on the demand.

The program aims at enabling Public-Private Partnership by launching a challenge to seek innovative data and technology-based solutions to improve crowd management and first-and last-mile connectivity to the Mumbai Metros. The STAMP program was launched on 31st July 2019 by the Honorable Metropolitan Commissioner Shri. R.A. Rajeev in the presence of diverse audiences such as entrepreneurs, citizens’ groups, professionals and students.