Nagour : MahaMetro has decided to provide at its stations for last mile connectivity to its users. It will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a Bengaluru-based company for this service.
The system is a hit in Bengaluru where some stations have a demand for 5,000 scooters and motorbikes.
A source in MahaMetro said that feeder buses would not depart from the station soon after the arrival of the train. “Buses will wait for some passengers so that it is at least half full. Those who don’t want to wait can use the scooters on rent service,” he added.
MahaMetro also reckons that very few people will prefer to use bicycles for reaching their destinations in Nagpur, which has a warm weather all year round.
The rent for the scooters will have to be paid through automatic fare collection (AFC) cards. “When the rent is paid, the user will get a one time password (OTP) on his mobile. When this OTP is entered in the scooter’s keyboard it will get unlocked. There will be no keys for the scooters. After reaching the destination, the scooter will have to be locked by an OTP,” said the official.
The rent for a scooter in Bengaluru is Rs5 per kilometre plus 25 paise per minute idling charges. MahaMetro will try to reduce the rates for Nagpur.
The official said the Metro agency plans to provide at least 30 scooters at every Metro station. “The number will be higher in stations which have ample parking space. In other places we will have to acquire land for parking these bikes at the stations. We will take up the issue with the state government after the MoU is signed,” he said. “We will also hold talks with big apartment schemes for parking of these rented scooters,” he added.
The Bengaluru-based company is also holding talks with other Metro agencies for providing this service.
Commenting on feeder buses, the official said that the tender would be floated when Sitabuldi to Airport South section is nearing completion. “We will start commercial operations of Nagpur Metro on this stretch. So feeder buses will be required then,” he added.
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