App-based cycles and e-bikes have become the choice of many in New Town to commute short distances as well as run chores.
These bikes became operational in April last year although a different operator had introduced them in New Town a few years back but had to pull out within a year because of various issues.
The bike-hiring scheme has gained popularity in all three action areas.
Many The Telegraph spoke to said not only were they leaving their cars home to commute short distances but they were cheaper than other modes of last mile connectivity like e-rickhaws and autos.
Sonali Agarwal, a resident of Hiland Willows, often goes to the market or the laundry on an e-bike.
“There is a docking station close to my place and I often take an e-bike to complete my chores.”
To book a bike a user has to download the “Chartered Bike” mobile app on a smartphone. A one-time registration fee of Rs 100 is charged and it is redeemable, said a spokesperson for Chartered Bike, an Ahmedabad-based company, that has partnered with the New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) to launch the service.
To unlock an e-bike one needs to scan the QR code on the fender. In case someone wants to make a stop somewhere — for example to buy groceries, he or she has to click on the “parking” option on the app.
At the end of the ride, the rider needs to choose the “end ride” option, after which the payment can be made through mobile wallets as well as the debit or credit cards.
The bike has to be returned to any of the docking stations after the ride.
For an e-bike, an unlocking charge of Rs 5 has to be paid after which the users are charged 50 paise every km.
For the pedalled ones, the cost of hiring one for three hours is less than Rs 25, an official said. No kilometre charges apply for these.
NKDA chairman Debashis Sen said they were “happy that the app-based cycle sharing scheme had found takers in New Town”.
New Town has more than 200 e-bikes and they can be picked up by commuters from 20 docking stations spread across all three action areas. These are the same docking stations from where pedal-powered bikes can also be booked.