Open House: what steps can be taken to improve public bike-sharing system?

Remove glitches

The issues of Internet connectivity be removed at the earliest. It will require more funds for setting up advanced systems and trained staff to manage the same. The system will help users to know if there is sufficient space available to dock bicycles. As such it will save the users from overshooting the time.

NPS Sohal, Chandigarh

Create more awareness

The need of the hour is to create more awareness on the bike-sharing project. Bicycles not only keep you physically and mentally fit but also reduce pollution level in the city. Install CCTV cameras at docking stations to keep vandals in check. The administration should provide Internet at docking stations free of cost.

Col TBS Bedi, Mohali

Install CCTV cameras

The project has been introduced in the city for the convenience of commuters. There may be teething problems but it is going to be successful in future. CCTV cameras should be installed to ensure the safety of the bicycles. The problem of Internet connectivity has to be sorted out to make the project a success. The authorities should come up with safety norms to overcome the existing problems.

Wg Cdr JS Minhas (retd), Mohali

Launch app to keep vandalism in check

The authorities should launch an app that will send an alert to the Police Control Room and the staff concerned in case of vandalism of bikes. Culprits should be strictly dealt with.

MR Bhateja, Nayagaon

Deploy guards

The authorities should improve Internet connectivity so that people don’t face problems in using the facility. Guards should be deployed at docking stations. They will help users as well as ensure safety of bikes.

Abhilasha Gupta, Mohali

No effective grievance redress system

With the fuel prices going through the roof, more and more people are attracted to bike stands, only to be greeted with defective cycles and an app that works in fits and starts. Though the Smart Bike app promises an annual subscription, it doesn’t allow you to subscribe. QR codes of some bikes have been torn. In one case, even after scanning the code, the bike did not unlock and the money got deducted. This was true of the yellow bikes at the station near the Sector 42 lake. The red bikes, which are battery-operated, are often out of charge. There is no effective grievance redressal system. The number given on the app is seldom picked up. The executive is unable to resolve the problem of the app deducting money without unlocking a bike.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

Standard operating procedure

It is expected that every new project will encounter some glitches initially. In order to remove various glitches that arise in the first and second phase, the company looking after the project has decided to link procedures with Bluetooth. The system must be user-friendly and has zero fault. There should be a standard operating procedure and it should be displayed at every docking station. There should be an online grievance redress system. CCTV cameras should be installed at each docking station and the police must keep a strict vigil to prevent damage caused to bikes by vandals. Violators must be punished.

Vidya Sagar Garg, Panchkula

Install integrated CCTVs at stations

The project needs more public awareness to become successful. The company needs to provide bikes in good condition. Integrated CCTV cameras should be installed at the docking stations to keep an eye on anti-social elements. The GPS should be in a working condition at all times. The company needs to promote the project from health point of view.

Sunny Dhaliwal, Chandigarh

Make service Aadhaar-based

Before the launch of the third phase of the public bike-sharing project, the authorities concerned should ask the telecom companies to complete the laying of underground cables as early as possible. The service should be made Aadhaar-based. There must be an attendant at every station and it should be made mandatory for each person to dock the bike at the station from where it was picked, so that the attendant concerned should be held responsible for damage caused to bikes. The bikes should be fitted with GPS to make tracking easy.

Savita Kuthiala

Ensure daily maintenance

All bicycles should be monitored by a command and control centre having a 24X7 helpline for users. Deploy guards at the docking stations. Only high quality bicycles should be provided to users. The authorities should be able to access bike-sharing data to improve its functioning. The daily maintenance of bicycles should be ensured.

Anita K Tandon, Mundi Kharar

Improve Internet signal across city

To improve the system, the administration should ensure that there is a good Internet signal across the city. Guards should be deployed at each docking station who can also help users in using the facility.

Adish Sood, Amloh

Install automatic alarm system

We hear about glitches in the app, which is the backbone of the project. A thorough dry run should have been conducted before launching the project. The recent incidents of vandalism are really a cause for concern. The culprits should be tracked and punished. The administration has to secure these bicycles by installing an automatic alarm system.

Dr Anil Kumar Yadav, Chandigarh

Launch helpline

The project is set to enter its third phase, but problems are still not sorted out. Poor Internet connectivity, mobile app glitches, damaged cycles, unavailability of cycles at docking stations, low batteries, non-working QR codes, etc, are the problems that need to be addressed to make this project a success. Deploy staff at the docking stations to prevent cases of vandalism. The staff can help users in case of poor Internet signal or other problems. CCTV cameras can be installed to keep an eye on vandals. Launch a dedicated helpline where people can report dumping of cycles away from stations. Internet connectivity needs to be improved for the success of this project. Real-time monitoring of cycles can be done.

Dr Rajeev Kumar, Chandigarh

Maintain tracks

Proper Internet connectivity should be provided across the city. All tracks should be maintained to ensure a smooth ride. Police should keep a strict vigil at docking stations to keep vandals in check. The users should bear their identity cards while using bikes.

Sumesh Kumar Badhwar, Mohali

App should be made more user-friendly

The Internet connectivity as well as the app should be improved. Cycling should be encouraged by organising rallies. Clear instructions for users must be displayed at all docking stations. CCTV cameras should be installed at all docking stations. The app should be made more user-friendly.

Bharat Bhushan Sharma

Consider credit card system

Using a bicycle remains a challenge for users as they continue to encounter various glitches due to poor Internet connectivity and low battery. Cases of vandalism are a cause for concern. Unscrupulous persons dump bikes at random places or even damage these. The authorities may consider the credit card system for using bikes.

Charu Malhotra, Mohali

Keep an eye on vandals

The authorities should install more routers across the city to improve Internet connectivity. Install CCTV cameras at docking stations to keep an eye on vandals. Users should have proper identity cards and their verification should be ensured.

Avinash Goyal, Chandigarh

Deploy workers to assist users

The app should be equipped with features to prevent it from crashing. A worker should be stationed at every docking station, who can use his account to help users in case the app does not work. The worker should also act as a security guard to protect the bikes from vandals or thieves. The authorities should install automatic alarms on bicycles to prevent theft or vandalism.

Saikrit Gulati, Chandigarh

Penalise violators, vandals

In my opinion, regular maintenance should be carried out by the authorities to keep the cycles in good shape. The bandwidth of the Internet should be elevated to match the connectivity of mobile phones so that one can easily unlock a bike with the app. Violators and vandals should be identified and fined a hefty amount.

Manseerat Kaur, Chandigarh

Regular supervision

Although there are a few shortcomings, the public bike-sharing project is a good initiative. CCTV cameras should be installed to nail vandals and thieves. Regular supervision should be done and damaged bikes removed from docking stations. Members of sector welfare societies can keep a watch on stations.

Sukhwant Bhullar, Chandigarh

QUESTION

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