Inauguration of commercial bike taxis in Kolkata on Thursday. Transport minister Suvendu Adhikari, while flagging off the service, made it clear that though the service will be run by a private operator, the government will ensure safety and security of the passengers. (Photo: Abhijit Mukherjee)

Kolkata: The state transport department on Thursday launched commercial bike taxis in a bid to improve last mile connectivity in New Town.

Initially, 21 such two-wheelers will be operated by a private aggregator in New Town which is being projected as a smart and green city by the Mamata Banerjee government.

Transport minister Suvendu Adhikari, while flagging off the service, made it clear that though the service will be run by a private operator, the government will ensure safety and security of the passengers.

“We have taken all steps as per law for registration of these vehicles. A single pillion rider will be allowed and wearing of helmets for both the driver and the rider is mandatory. The helmet will be provided by the driver. The speed limit has been set at 40 Km per hour,” Mr Adhikari said.

The app for bike taxis will also have a panic button that can be used by the passengers in case of emergency. Also, the details of all the drivers has been submitted at the local police stations.

“The antecedents of all the drivers has been verified before recruiting them,” a top official of the aggregator, who will run the service said. The fare for every two kilometers will be Rs 20 and it will go up by Rs 5 for every extra km.

“We will soon make facilities for physical panic button on the two wheeler,” a senior transport department official said, adding that the service will be gradually extended to all the township areas across the state where last mile connectivity is an issue. There will be facilities such as raincoats during monsoon.

Apart from app booking, the call centre number for availing this service is 9836215551.