Metro proposes two-wheelers on hire for last-mile connectivity

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has come out with a new policy on last-mile connectivity.

It has proposed to have two-wheelers at nine Metro stations to enable commuters to travel short distances for work.  The corporation proposes to grant licence for operating two-wheeler motorised or non-motorised mobility service system to provide the last-mile connectivity to commuters.

The objective of the policy, for which tenders were issued on Friday, is to ensure people can hire two-wheelers at Metro stations to reach a short distance. They can go to the two-wheeler docking spot at the station, hire the two-wheeler, finish work, come back to the station and dock the vehicle again. If people have to reach home, the two-wheeler can be parked at home and put back at the docking station next day. The docking stations could be at other points as well, where the person who hires the two-wheeler can finish work and park the two-wheeler at the nearest docking point.

“What business models the bidders come up with, we have to see. The last-mile connectivity to home is something they have to evolve and if it proves successful, that can be tried as well. Everything depends on the business proposal bidders come up with and the way they use technology to connect the stations to different places. We are giving out a space and a concept to the investors who can take up this project,” U A Vasanth Rao, General Manager (Finance), BMRCL, told Deccan Herald.

The two-wheeler hiring facility will be set up at Baiyappanahalli, Indiranagar, Trinity, Mantri Square, Rajajinagar, Sandal Soap Factory, Peenya, Mysuru Road and Vijayanagar stations. If the model works well at these stations, the facility will be offered at other stations, too.

The successful bidder can evolve their own scheme to facilitate last-mile connectivity and charge the commuter for the service. The individual or company which wins the bid has to pay to the BMRCL a licence fee and the rent for the area allotted.

A total area of 600 square feet will be allotted in the respective stations. Within the allotted area, the licensee can put up a small counter to man the mobility service team.
The licensee should ensure the facility is available on all seven days of the week and adequate manpower from 5 am to 11 pm.  The system could be open till 1 am or up to the time the police allow, subject to approval by the BMRCL.