Hoang Van Thu Street in HCMC’s Tan Binh District is overwhelmed with traffic. The city will pilot a public electric bike service in the final quarter of 2019

The plan is part of a cooperation agreement signed on October 31 between the municipal Department of Transport and ride-hailing firm Grab Vietnam, reported the local media.

Under the deal, the two parties will jointly roll out activities to support the city’s public transportation system, said Tran Quang Lam, director of the transport department.

After the pilot launch, they will consider expanding the electric bike service throughout the city by the end of 2020.

Also, they will roll out a self-driving electric vehicle rental service in the coming months.

The department and the Singapore-based ridesharing service operator will study ways to connect Grab Vietnam’s available transport services, such as GrabBike and GrabCar to the public transport system in the city. This move is expected to offer additional options to residents who need to commute daily.

It was also learned that Grab Vietnam will share its database on traffic activities with the department, so the two sides can analyze and work out solutions to traffic safety issues in the city.

Jerry Lim, director of Grab Vietnam, said that the firm will contribute to the transport department’s smart transportation scheme by sharing its database to assist with the city’s efforts to handle traffic congestion and environmental pollution, aside from seeking to develop services using ecofriendly vehicles.

Earlier, in August, Grab had announced plans to invest an additional US$500 million in the local market to bolster the digital economy over the next five years. SGT
 

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