Public Bicycle Sharing (PBS) systems have been recognized by cities around the world as a useful and beneficial public transport service. India has yet to see the implementation of a city-wide PBS system, despite numerous local and neighborhood scale pilot initiatives across the country. However, several Indian cities are now in the advanced stages of developing large scale PBS systems. In this webinar, Mr. Ashwin Prabhu and Ms. Ranjana Menon provided an overview of the lessons learnt from this process, and the particular challenges of implementing PBS systems in Indian cities. The webinar recording can be seen here - https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/517555170 Related research - http://embarqindiahub.org/publications/bicycle-rental-market-indore

1. Implementing Public Bicycle
Share (PBS) Systems in India
- Ashwin Prabhu &
Ranjana Menon

2. Public Bicycle Sharing (PBS) systems are a flexible
public transport service that involves the creation of
a dense network of cycle rental stations. Users can
take a cycle from any station and return it to any
other station in the system

3. There has been significant growth in PBS Systems worldwide in the
past decade, particularly in China and Europe.

4. Proposed Indian Systems
Pune
Panaji
Bangalore
Chennai
Mysore

5. Lesson 1:
Go Big or Go Home

6. Planning Principles
I. System Coverage

7. New Delhi – Planet Green Bikes
No: of Stations No: of Cycles Coverage Avg rides/
cycle/ day
8 80 Only along
the BRT
corridor
-
Mumbai – Cycle Chalao
No: of Stations No: of Cycles Coverage Avg rides/
cycle/ day
2 30 Connectivity
only between
two points
0.14
Bangalore - ATCAG
No: of Stations No: of Cycles Coverage Avg rides/
cycle/ day
9 45 Sparse, spread
across the city
0.15
Existing Indian Systems

8. Stations Proposed: Panjim

9. Lesson 2:
You get what you pay for

10. 1V. RealTime Data1II. Smart Payment
1I.Automated Systems1. Custom Designed Bicycles
Non- Negotiable(s)

11. 1. Custom Designed Bicycles 1I. Automatic Stations1. Off the rack cycles 1I. Manually Operated Stations
Existing Indian Systems
III. Poor Quality Infrastructure

12. Next Bike for Chennai

13. Lesson 3:
Merge the Financials

14. Improved Cycling Mode
Share
Increased Public Transport
Usage
Reduced Congestion
Improved Public Health
outcomes
Improved Air Quality
34%
33%
33%
Cost Recovery of
PBS Systems
Benefits of PBS
Systems
Subsidy
User Fees
Advertising
In general, PBS Systems are not financially self-sufficient. But cities around the
world have been willing to subsidise these systems due to the magnitude of
positive externalities generated

15. Common Financial Model
PBS Supplier Procures
and Installs
the System
PBS Operator
PBS System
Operates &
Maintains the
System
Central
Govt.
State
Govt.
Users
Ad Agency
+
Sponsors
Local Authority
Subsidy
Capital
Fund
State
Assistance
Central
Assistance
Fare box
Revenue
Ad Revenue
+ Sponsorship

16. Recommended Financial Model
Independent
Engineer
Monthly
Fees
Evaluation
Reports
Fare box
Revenue
Ad
Revenue
Sponsorship
Ad
Agency
Sponsors
Service
Provider
Users
Fee
Installs and
Operates PBS
System

17. Lesson 4:
Evolve or Disappear

18. Existing Systems
1. Systems which are
• Fully Automated
• Only Card Payments

19. Difference in Indian cities
II. Ease with Automated Systems
1. Payment Landscape `

20. Hong Kong
London
Proposed- Retail Outlets
India

21. Proposed- Marketing & User Education

22. Lesson 5:
Connect across borders

23. Indian v/s International Expertise
Type of Service Provider Experience in
operating prior
systems
Local Knowledge of
Indian cities and
conditionalities
International Service Provider
Indian Service Provider

24. Summary:
5 lessons for Indian cities
1. Go Big or Go Home
2. You get what you pay for
3. Merge the Financials
4. Evolve or Disappear
5. Connect across borders

25. Questions?