Now you can hire an e-bike in Mumbai too, Bengaluru’s Yulu starts service
Bengaluru-based electric bike-sharing platform Yulu on Monday started its services in and around Bandra-Kurla Complex, and Bandra East and Kurla stations in the town.
Backed by Bajaj Auto, the two-year-old startup had entered right into a memorandum of understanding with Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) on January 31 to provide a complete of 500 e-bikes at 25 different spots in these areas.
“The facility was to get started on by February 2020, but as a result of COVID-19 pandemic situation it is becoming operational only on August 31,” MMRDA Commissioner RA Rajeev said.
He further said the MMRDA has been striving to address the issues arising out of vehicular traffic in Bandra-Kurla Complex, and that the ebikes would help ease the holdups if adopted by many people.
Yulu plans to commence businesses in these spots in a phased manner.
“To avail, the facility you have to pay Rs 5 towards unlocking charges and Rs 1.5 for each and every about a minute of ride. You will have facilities for monthly recharges and bonus of 20-100 %,” MMRDA said.
Yulu, which operates in Bengaluru and recently entered portions of New Delhi and Navi Mumbai, has so far raised about USD 15 million besides funds raised through debt.
Yulu co-founder and COO Hemant Gupta has earlier said that the services will be available at any hour and can be utilised by all commuters aged over 16 with no need for a licence.
Taking precautions amid the pandemic, the agency will sanitise the e-bikes frequently and can take satisfactory care of the allied facilities, MMRDA said.
The agreement with Yulu was a part of MMRDA’s station access and mobility programme (STAMP) initiative for partnering with technology-based applications with a focus on crowd management, seamless commuter experience and the increased option of convenient last-mile services.
This project will bring about actual deployment of solutions which is scaled up by MMRDA for all metro lines because they get completed to supply delightful commuting experience to Mumbaikars, Rajeev said.
