CMRL to provide free bicycles to metro commuters

The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has proposed to offer free bicycles at its underground stations to metro commuters whose destination would be within a kilometre away from the station. CMRL has already invited bids to procure 10 bicycles, including two for women, at its seven underground stations which were inaugurated recently. 

The idea is to ensure that metro commuters do not struggle for the last mile connectivity. “Very few autorickshaws or cabs would be available on hire to travel less than a kilometre. Even if one is available, it would be costly. Lack of this lost mile connectivity should not deter the commuters from taking the metro. Hence, the free bicycle plan,” explained a senior CMRL officer requesting anonymity. 

Metro has initially targeted commuters located at a distance of 500 metres to one kilometre from the stations. “It is a pilot project. We have yet to work out the modalities. We are even considering ID cards to people using the bicycles,” the officer explained. Unlike in private cycle or bike rentals, time would not be a constraint in CMRL’s pilot project. A person taking the bicycle from the station could use it for the whole day or a few hours based on his requirement. The person need to turn up to return the bicycle. It can be sent through any other person who has a proof of identification. 

Metro has also been exploring the possibility of collecting caution deposits from such bicycle using commuters. However, doubts linger over collection of deposits as, metro managers fear, money should not discourage the commuter from availing of the service. A similar project was introduced at Ekkaduthangal metro station early this year, but it did not take off and hence the project designs have been tweaked a bit. 

Apart from providing the last mile connectivity, the project would also be an extension of CMRL’s green initiative. The special purpose vehicle of the Tamil Nadu government has already been appreciated for taking green initiatives to reduce carbon footprint. The platform screen doors used in underground stations have been estimated to reduce CMRL’s energy bill by 40 per cent. 

“Provision of free bicycles would further reduce our carbon footprint because use of bicycles and metro would reduce greenhouse emission, apparently increasing our mileage on the green route,” the officer explained.