The Hyderabad Metro Rail has set up electric bikes at affordable rates for commuters on a rental basis from August 15. The Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) inaugurated the launch of the service on Monday.
The Metro e-bikes will cost as low as Rs 4 per kilometre and the passengers can drive the bike home, keep it with them overnight and return it back at any metro station with the facility, on the next day.
The service can be availed by passengers after downloading the Metro Bikes app, which will get their driving licence and identification proof verified.
As of now, Metro Bikes are operating conventional bikes at Secunderabad, Rasoolpura, Begumpet, Nagole, Parade Grounds and Miyapur Metro stations. That service was launched in May, first at Miyapur and had become an instant with commuters.
The Hyderabad metro also has the unique distinction of being the first to set up electric cars for commuters, with the service operating along the same lines as that of the e-bikes. The charging stations for the electric vehicles are being set up by Powergrid.
Speaking at the inaugural event of e-bikes at Ameerpet Metro Interchange to reporters on Monday, the HMRL managing director NVS Reddy said that the passengers will be charged only for the distance travelled.
“The idea of introducing e-bikes is to focus on protecting the environment. Soon, all the conventional Metro Bikes will be replaced with these e-bikes,” said Reddy.
In an effort to attract more commuters to the metro, HMRL is also making efforts to offer transport, dining and shopping experiences at the Metro stations. Even art galleries are expected to be developed shortly at all Metro stations.
Speaking about the footfalls of the metro, Reddy informed that HMRL had stabilised at 85,000 people per day along the 32-kilometre Miyapur-Nagole stretch that opened in November 2017.
“Once the other two sections are opened, it would reach around 5 lakh passengers per day and in a couple of years, it would touch 15 lakh passengers per day,” Reddy added.