This story is from October 7, 2019

Trin Trin services suspended for three days in Mysuru; visitors disappointed

It has been more than two years since the country’s first public bicycle sharing (PBS) system, ‘Trin Trin’ was launched amid much fanfare and expectation in the Heritage City.
Trin Trin services suspended for three days in Mysuru; visitors disappointed
The Trin trin management has suspended the PBS services till Wednesday.
MYSURU: It has been more than two years since the country’s first public bicycle sharing (PBS) system, ‘Trin Trin’ was launched amid much fanfare and expectation in the Heritage City.
Although dedicated infrastructure for bicycle, which was promised at the time of the initiative’s launch, has not materialised – cycling tracks on several thoroughfares among them – the joy of cycling on many roads in Mysuru cannot be disputed.
Although a joy ride on a Trin Trin bike is certainly not on the top of priorities for visitors flocking to Mysuru for the Naada Habba celebrations, the prospect adds to the flavour of the season, and reflects on the soft charm that the city possesses in abundance. Now, at the business end of the festivities, the Trin trin management has suspended the PBS services till Wednesday.
Trin Trin announced a holiday on Sunday, to prepare for the Ayudha Puja, while the services will remain suspended on Monday and Tuesday as well for more practical reasons.
Trin Trin manager Asha Kerakatty said that the decision was prompted by the damage done to the PBS kiosks in the last two editions of the Naada Habba. “We have sustained huge losses owing to the habit among some of the people witnessing the Dasara events to mount on top of our kiosks, and climb atop a few of our electronic devices, resulting in their damage. The roof of a Trin Trin hub collapsed near KR Circle after nearly 200 people climbed on top of it,” said Asha.
The option of keeping those Trin Trin hubs not in the vicinity of the venues of Dasara events operational, Asha said was rendered impossible owing to its impracticality. “Now, Trin Trin users who take bicycles from the other hubs might want to park them in the Central Business District. So, taking stock of all these issues, we decided to suspend our operations for three days starting Sunday,” she added.
Incidentally, Trin Trin proved immensely popular this Dasara season. The total membership of the PBS system, which was hovering around the 12,000-mark, has in the past week, soared above 13,000. “Trin Trin clocked 1,740 rides in one day, which was the highest ever,” Asha said.
Tourists are understandably displeased with the move. Besides the fun associated with travelling around the city on a bike, commuting to the various venues of the Dasara events on a Trin trin bicycle is more economical.
“We were hoping to enjoy an evening ride on a bicycle, particularly at night, when all the streets in and around the Mysore Palace are illuminated. Suspending services is not the solution. The government and the Trin Trin management must work towards making people aware about the need to conduct themselves when there is such a big event. Public utilities must be used with a sense of responsibility,” said Purushottam Arya, an engineer from Bengaluru, who is visiting Mysuru for the Dasara celebrations.
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