Karwar: Bike on rent at tourist places have been huge hit across the tourist destination. And it is no surprise that even in Uttara Karnataka district that receives good number of tourists from across India and world, has also given a thumbs up to the project.

The ‘Metro bike’, a Bengaluru based company has taken the rent a bike experience to the next level, by making it technology driven. The company has started an App based bike service that would help start without a key at Karwar and temple town of Gokarna.

Speaking to media persons, in front of deputy commissioner’s office here, the company’s marketing division vice-president H Shamanth said, we have purchased non-geared bike to rent so that even women make use of the service. This is the first district, where we have started such service in the State.

How does it work

The keyless bikes work on a mobile-based app, and one has to download the app and upload their driving license and Aadhar card number. Once uploaded, within 10 minutes, the tourist will get a one time password, which has to be fed in the special panel placed at the key inserting place to press start the vehicle.

The service starts and ends at Karwar CMC office. The company has been charging Rs 5 per kilometre and 0.25 paisa per hour as rent. As of now, the company has pressed 70 two-wheelers into the service. The tourists can pay the fare through e-wallet, debit/credit cards or other online portals, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner S S Nakul said, the rent-a-bike, service will help tourists arriving at tourists destination via bus or trains. He said the administration will provide separate space for parking these vehicles.

He also clarified that the company and the administration have not entered into any kind of financial agreement.

Zilla Panchayat chief executive officer Chandrashekar Nayak, Information and Public Relation Assistant Director Himanthuraju were present.