Panchkula, December 15: The local MC will soon launch a public bicycle-sharing system in the town.
In a release issued here today, MC Administrator Rajesh Jogpal stated that tenders had been invited for the Rs 1-crore project and after opening the technical and financial bids, the contract was awarded to M/s Dharani Enterprises.
Jogpal said the firm was already running a similar system in the civic bodies of Bhopal and Gwalior. He said 200 bicycles at 20 stations in the town would be in operation within three months in Bell Corridor. He said the system would be controlled by android/IOS app, adding that these bicycles would be equipped with the GPS tracking system and smart locks.
The MC Administrator said the bicycles would be designed in such a manner that both men and women could ride these. The bicycles would also have features such as adjustable seat, child-friendly element and utility basket. He said the fare would be charged via smartcard and through a mobile application.
Jogpal said the system would be in operation for 14 hours; from 6 am to 8 pm. Initially, the registered users would be able to use the facility in the jurisdiction of the town. There would be a central control to monitor the system in real time, he added.