MYSURU: Mysuru has added another feather in its cap. The country’s first public bicycle sharing initiative ‘Trin Trin’ has bagged the Best Non-Motorised Transport Award at the three-day Urban Mobility Conference held at Hyderabad. Trin Trin, launched by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in June this year, is a big hit across the city. As of now, the city has 450 bicycles and 48 docking stations.
In developed countries, the best usage of a bicycle, on an average, is 2.5. In Mysuru, it is 2 - one cycle is rented twice a day. This means, in a day, around 900 people use the bicycle, which includes women, students, public, tourists and also officials.Trin Trin has drawn attention of other cities and states as well. Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) is planning to set up 10 more docking stations. The award has only pushed them to start a survey for the second phase and identify places for 50 more docking stations and adding another 400 bicycles.
MCC Commissioner G Jagadeesha told Express that they want to start a survey and extend the facility across the city so that more people can avail the service. He said that the success of Trin Trin has also made others visit the city and study the model.
Siddaramaiah wants Trin Trin in B’luru
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, impressed by the success of Trin Trin, has directed the director of Urban Land Transport Department to study and introduce Public Bicycle Sharing System in Bengaluru. A team is expected to visit Mysuru anytime to know more about it.
Mysuru Mayor Ravi Kumar was delighted about the award and said that this has made the elected representatives more responsible and has encouraged the officers concerned to expand the initiative further. Many tourists and people who attend Heritage walk are now using bicycles.
The Mayor said that the use of bicycles would reduce congestion, give ample space for parking, and gradually bring down the number of accidents.
Green Zone
Deputy Commissioner D Randeep was the one who pushed the public bicycle sharing system, took initiative to identify docking stations and get an agency to install both software and hardware for smooth functioning. The DC was happy about Mysuru City getting the award. He told Express that the second phase will have smaller docking systems. “A dedicated lane for the bicycles - Green Zone - will be painted green in colour, and will be ready by December,” he said.
Pride of Mysuru
48 docking stations, 450 bicycles
`5 charged for using bicycles per hour. The first hour, however, is free of cost
`250 Registration charges
`50 per month for smart card renewal
50 docking stations and 400 more bicycles planned