First set of cycles from Hyderabad reaches Chennai

“As many as 123 cycles were brought to the city by the SmartBike, a Hyderabad-based service provider, recently and are being stored in Amma Arangam in Shenoy Nagar,” a Chennai Corporation official said.

Of the total proposed 4,976 bicycles, the SmartBike had imported 250 bicycles from Germany to Hyderabad a few weeks ago. However, only 123 cycles were brought to the city after assembling, to kick-start the project on a trial basis.

It is learnt that the Greater Chennai Corporation has set up 20 bicycle stations in Anna Nagar and 4 stations near Marina Beach. “Remaining 127 of the 250 cycles will be brought to the city after the commencement of the project. The first phase of the project will be rolled out before the end of January,” the official added.

The bicycles would provide last mile connectivity to the commuters at a cost of Rs 5 per hour and additional Rs 9 for every 30 minutes.

The civic body had issued a work order to SmartBike to set up cycle station at 378 locations and the service providers would earn revenue by collecting rent and branding.