Panchkula sees a dip in number of smart bike users

Tribune News Service

Amit Bathla

Panchkula, February 17

The Yaana bicycle-sharing project in Panchkula, the first of its kind in the tricity, which was launched in August 2019, has seen a decline in ridership over time.

As compared to 2.34 lakh rides in the first 14 months of the launch of project, 1.40 lakh rides were taken in the next 15 months. As many as 3.74 lakh rides have been taken so far.

The number of app downloads stands at 53,343.

‘Covid came in the way’

The bicycle-sharing project is still a hit. In fact, we had been in talks with the MC to expand the project to other parts of the city. However, Covid emerged a major hurdle. We aim to open more bicycle stations in the Mansa Devi Complex area and trans-Ghaggar sectors. —Sourabh Jain, COO, Yaana

However, officials attributed the Covid-induced lockdown and the winter season for the decline in the number of users.

Sourabh Jain, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Yaana, said, “The bicycle-sharing project is still a hit among Panchkula people. In fact, we had been in talks with the local civic body to expand the project in other parts of the city. However, Covid emerged a major hurdle in the path of our expansion plan. We aim to open more bicycle stations in the Mansa Devi Complex area and trans-Ghaggar sectors.”

He cited the Covid-induced lockdown and restrictive measures by the government and extreme winter in northern parts, including Panchkula, for the decline in the ridership.

He said their project in Panchkula emerged as a role model for other cities in North India as they replicated the same in Hoshiarpur.”

On damaged bicycles, Jain said they had a dedicated team, which took care of maintenance of bicycles on a regular basis.The city currently has 20 docking stations where 200 bicycles are available for rent. All bicycles are GPS enabled.

Bicycles can be picked from and dropped at any station.

The app-based bicycle-sharing project was launched with much fanfare in August 2019 by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

Taking inspiration from Panchkula, Chandigarh also launched its bicycle-sharing project in August last year.

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