Mumbai: Arriving railway passengers can hop onto e-buses

E-autos and e-bikes have been introduced at Thane and Kurla stations respectively

Passengers coming into Mumbai from outstation strains may not have to haggle with cabbies and auto drivers any more, as the Central Railway has been working on app-based e-buses outside its termini, that could transport them to their destinations. Mumbai CSMT and Kurla LTT are first in line to get e-buses soon. As reported by mid-day, Thane station has already got e-autos and while there are e-bikes at Kurla, seven other stations on CR have now been lined up for e-bikes.

"While tenders have been called for app-based bus services at Kurla LTT and Mumbai CSMT for a period of three years, app-based e-bike services have been proposed at Byculla, Dadar, Parel, Kurla LTT, CSMT, Thane, Mulund and Bhandup stations for a period of one year," a senior official said.

Powered by batteries, these e-vehicles will run with zero carbon emissions, putting commuters' safety at the core by constantly monitoring the vehicle location through GPS and early warning through geo fencing.

‘Green connectivity'
"At Kurla last week, Central Railway inaugurated an e-bike facility. We have given space in Kurla (west) to set-up a facility for the pick-up and drop of the e-bikes. Mumbai division awarded the tender for e-cycle/bike parking and charging to Yulu Bikes Pvt Limited for one year at Kurla station for an area of 115 sqm. This will provide last mile green connectivity from Kurla west towards BKC and other nearby areas," he added.

Bids have also been invited outside six major and crowded stations for battery charging and swapping facility. Area at the entry-exit points of railway stations has been earmarked as per availability for charging stations, which also have parking facility.

‘An excellent idea'
"E-buses have already been running in the city with the BEST. An app-based service linked to outstation train connectivity will be an excellent idea. It should help commuters avoid the hassle of autos and taxi mafia that usually crowd major stations to lure them. The app could be linked to the railway ticket, allowing passengers seamless last-mile connectivity," said National Railway Users' Consultative Committee member Subhash H Gupta from Yatri Sangh Mumbai.