HCM City plans to offer public bicycle rental services in downtown areas this year. (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) - Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Transport plans to offer about 500 bicycles for rent at 50sites in downtown areas by the end of this year.
The department has asked the municipal People’s Committee for approval toimplement the plan to pilot a public bicycle rental service in combinationwith other kinds of passenger transport in the city centre.
The service, which aims to encourage residents and tourists touse public transport, is expected to help reduce trafficcongestion and pollution caused by vehicles.
The bicycles will be put at sites near public bus stops to createmore convenience for people who access the service.
About 10-20 bicycles will be offered at each site. Each bicycle will have an identity (ID) card, with a smart lock andGPS navigation device.
Through a central management system, the service operatorwill monitor the vehicles’ travel route to prevent theft or loss.
People can rent the bicycles by installing an application on theirphone called Mobike which provides information on the nearest bicycleparking site and allows them to pay via QR code and scan the codes tounlock the vehicles.
They must provide personal information to service providers.
The price is 5,000 (0.22 USD) for 30minutes and 10,000 VND (0.44 USD) for an hour.
It will be free for the first 15 minutes for the first three months toencourage people to use them.
The pilot is expected to start in December after approval by the People’sCommittee./.
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HCM City plans to offer public bicycle rental services in downtown areas this year. (Photo: VNA) 
