The fully automated version of Athi’s Bicycle Club (abc), the city’s 24x7 SMS-based bicycle sharing system, will be launched on November 6. Sports Minister K B Ganesh Kumar will inaugurate abc management software (AMS) by riding a bicycle from Palayam church to Secretariat.
According to M S Athirup, founder of abc, the users can enjoy the full-fledged version of abc with its re-launch. “With the automation software, the entire operation of abc has been changed from manual to automatic. The software will manage tasks like changing of number locks, service and repair management, usage and availability management, bicycle redistribution among racks etc,” he said.
An interesting feature of the club is that anybody with a mobile can join the club, free of cost, by just sending an sms. Usage fee is only Rs 2 per hour. Members can take a bicycle from any rack and return to any rack. Entire operations are through mobile and payments can be made by depositing cash in a drop box at any rack. The sms can be sent to 964 55 111 55.
ABC was launched in the city in March 2011. By the end of last year, abc had more than 1,000 registered users. Currently, the abc has racks in Sasthamangalam, Vellayambalam, Kowdiar, Vazhuthacaud, Thampanoor, East Fort, Statue, Palayam, PMG, Pattom, Bakery Junction, Karamana and Jagathy.
Athirup has plans to extend service to club to tourist spots such as Veli, Shangumugham and Kovalam.