Yulu e-bikes now available in Mumbai's BKC, and Bandra East and Kurla stations

Mumbai: 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 city.

Backed by Bajaj Auto, the two-year-old startup had entered into a memorandum of understanding with Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) on January 31 to provide a total of 500 e-bikes at 25 different locations in these areas.

“The facility was to start by February 2020, but due to the 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 problems 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 operations in these locations in a phased manner.

“To avail, the facility one has to pay Rs 5 towards unlocking charges and then Rs 1.5 for every one minute of ride. There will be facilities for monthly recharges and bonus of 20-100 per cent,” 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 would be available round the clock and can be used by all commuters aged over 16 without the need for a licence.

Taking precautions amid the pandemic, the agency will sanitise the e-bikes frequently and will take sufficient 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 availability of convenient last-mile services.

This project will lead to actual deployment of solutions which will be scaled up by MMRDA for all metro lines as they get completed to provide delightful commuting experience to Mumbaikars, Rajeev said.