The bikes that will be used for the pilot project – Photo: COURTESY OF HCMC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT

This public bicycle service is expected to help HCMC improve its public transport system and restrict private vehicles in the city center.

Tri Nam Group JSC, the investor of the project, will carry out the pilot phase in 12 months. After that, the local authorities will evaluate the efficiency of the project to decide the next steps.

The bicycles will be available at 43 stations along the major streets in District 1 such as Ham Nghi, Nguyen Hue, Pham Hong Thai, Nguyen Thi Nghia, Pham Ngu Lao and Le Thanh Ton. Each station will have 10 to 20 bikes, each of which will be equipped with smart locks and a GPS system.

In order to use the service, users will need to download the Mobike app on their smartphones.

The proposed prices are VND5,000 per 30 minutes. The operator will provide tickets for 15-minute, 30-minute and 60-minute sessions during the pilot period.

During the first one to three months, users will be able to use the service free of charge for the first 15 minutes.

The HCMC Department of Transport said the city is building an integrated application for all means of public transport such as the metro, buses, shared bikes and the bus rapid transit system to improve convenience for commuters, thus encouraging citizens to use public transport.  SGT

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