Odisha launches public bicycle sharing project and app

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday launched a public bicycle sharing project and a mobile app ahead of the Men’s Hockey World Cup tournament here.nnThe bicycle sharing project and the mobile app is named ‘Mo Cycle’.nnThe Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) in association with Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL), has brought in the Mo Cycle system, to reduce traffic congestion, enhance space efficiency, and improve air quality in the city, an official said.nnAbout 2000 MO CYCLES will be operated by three leading vendors, Hero-Hexi, Yaana, and Yulu, at about 400 plus Mo Cycle stations around the city.nnRiders can take the Mo Cycle from any location, and drop off at any destination of their choice. The operators will coordinate to ensure the redistribution, and availability of Mo Cycle, at locations with high demand, at any given time, it said.nnUnlike rentals under the PBS system, Mo Cycles, stored in a closely spaced network of stations, will be made available to riders for short-term, shared use. This new system would encourage use of same cycle by multiple riders every day.nnMo Cycle can be accessed by downloading the Mo Cycle App and registering with one of the three operators for a nominal monthly subscription.nnThe rider can locate the nearest MO CYCLE station and unlock the bike through QR code scan. After reaching the destination, the rider has to end the ride on App, manually lock and park the Mo Cycle, at any station for pick up by the subsequent rider.nnThe highlight of this service is that the first 30 minutes of the ride is free. The system will soon be linked with Odyssey Card, for easy payment.nnCRUT in association with Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL), is also ensuring that technology interventions like GPS, cashless transactions through mobile app, and smart locks are integral part of the this system.nnThe intent is to make Mo Cycle PBS system smart, safe, GPS for easy tracking and affordable, thus attracting more ridership, officials said.nnSource: Press Trust of India