Mysuru: The city’s popular public bicycle-sharing service, MyByk Trin Trin, will cease operations from November 1, bringing an end to a nine-year initiative that encouraged eco-friendly commuting. Despite attracting regular users and receiving a positive public response, the service is being suspended due to mounting operational losses.
Launched on June 4, 2017, by the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) in association with the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT), Trin Trin was introduced to promote cycling as an affordable and environmentally friendly mode of transport.
The service gradually became a familiar sight across Mysuru, providing residents, students, office-goers and daily commuters with an alternative to motorised transport.
Trin Trin attracted hundreds of daily users
According to the report, the bicycle-sharing service had around 300 to 400 users every day and recorded more than 20,000 lifetime subscribers.
Initially, the initiative operated with regular bicycles. In 2023, pedal-assisted electric bicycles were introduced to make commuting easier, particularly on roads with steep stretches.
The e-bicycles could reach speeds of 25 to 30 kmph and received an encouraging response from commuters. Based on the demand, authorities had also considered increasing the fleet from 300 to 500 bicycles.
48 docking stations across Mysuru
Trin Trin established bicycle docking stations at 48 locations across the city, making it convenient for users to pick up and return bicycles at different points.
Some of the prominent locations included Mysore Palace, Mysuru Railway Station, KSRTC Bus Stand, Kukkarahalli Lake and Jaganmohan Palace.
The service was used by college students, school students, office employees and daily wage workers. Even during the COVID-19 lockdown, residents continued using the bicycles for essential travel and morning exercise.
Operational losses force suspension
Despite its popularity, the service reportedly became difficult to sustain due to increasing operational expenses.
The rising costs of bicycle repairs, battery charging and maintenance of docking stations placed a financial burden on the operator, Greenpedia Bike Share Private Limited.
Company staff told Star of Mysore that the continued operational losses made it difficult to run the service despite receiving a good response from the public.
R. Yashwanth, City Manager of Trin Trin, said the public bicycle-sharing system had received an encouraging response but was being temporarily suspended due to certain reasons.
Docking stations being dismantled
With operations scheduled to end after October 31, dismantling of the docking stations has already begun across Mysuru. Some locations have been cleared, while work is underway to remove the remaining facilities.
The suspension marks the end of an initiative that had become part of Mysuru’s urban commuting system and encouraged residents to adopt a healthier and more sustainable mode of transport.
Whether the service will be revived in the future remains uncertain.