Pune Infra Watch: PMC invites agencies to implement electric bike renting project

The agency will have to set up over 500 charging cum swapping stations and over 200 spots for docking stations for parking the bikes.

Under the project, the PMC has fixed rental rates for electric bikes at Rs 100 per hour, Rs 450 per day, Rs 1,900 per week and Rs 3,800 per month.

Taking a step towards controlling the increasing air pollution and to encourage faster adoption of electric two-wheelers, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has invited private agencies to implement its electric bike renting project for a minimum of 30 years. The agency will have to set up over 500 charging cum swapping stations and over 200 spots for docking stations for parking the bikes.

“Pune has the highest number of two-wheelers in the country and therefore they contribute most to the air pollution in the city. The PMC has decided to start an electric bike renting project to promote use of electric vehicles and reduce air pollution in the city,” said a civic officer.

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He added, “The private agency will have to deploy e-bikes on a rental basis through a mobile application and take charge of installation, operation and maintenance of the charging cum swapping stations across the city.” He added, each site will have a capacity to charge 4-12 bikes and the parking spots will have a capacity to park 10 bikes.

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“The private agency should be able to operate more than 2,000 charging points across the 500 locations as well as provide over 5,000 bikes for the project. PMC will provide the locations on lease for the charging and parking facilities. The agency will be allowed to put up kiosks or display screens which can be used for commercials,” the officer said.

Under the project, the PMC has fixed rental rates for electric bikes at Rs 100 per hour, Rs 450 per day, Rs 1,900 per week and Rs 3,800 per month.

“The payment would be collected digitally through an application or smart card and the amount would be transferred directly to an ESCROW account,” he said. The amount would then be shared between the private agency and PMC as per the revenue sharing model.

The private agency will have to provide only authorised electric bikes and carry out their maintenance on a regular basis. Further, it has to ensure that 90 per cent of the charging stations are operational at any given time.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, Pune, a role that reflects his seniority and editorial Authority. He is a highly specialized journalist whose work demonstrates significant Expertise in the critical areas of urban development, governance, and sustainability, often linking policy to its on-the-ground impact across Maharashtra. Expertise Senior Editorial Role: As an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Ajay Jadhav contributes to the editorial direction and maintains high standards of Trustworthiness and quality in his reporting. Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on the intersection of infrastructure, politics, and social development, with expertise in: Infrastructure and Civic Issues: Provides in-depth coverage of crucial development and urban governance topics. His work includes reporting on the glaring contrast between planned infrastructure projects (like private helipads) and the lack of basic facilities (schools and hospitals) in politically significant areas, highlighting accountability gaps. Politics and Governance: Consistently reports on political developments, scrutinizing decision-making that affects public life and development initiatives in Maharashtra. Sustainable Development & Environment: Demonstrates a commitment to responsible development by reporting on initiatives that successfully protect the environment while ensuring essential infrastructure development. Investigative and Policy Impact: National Impact: Ajay has written notable research articles on Conservancy staff which achieved a nationwide impact by directly contributing to the framing of policies aimed at improving the working conditions of waste-handling laborers. This demonstrates his capacity for impactful, evidence-based journalism. Additional Interests Personal Engagement: His background as a trekker and sports enthusiast suggests a keen personal interest in the environment and outdoor spaces, which likely informs his detailed and passionate reporting on sustainable development and civic issues. Ajay Jadhav's sustained focus on governance, his track record of high-impact policy-shaping research, and his critical eye for infrastructure gaps establish him as a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis in Pune and Maharashtra. ... Read More

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