One more city experiments with battery-powered electric buses to serve tourists
Hoi An set to become a bicycle city

Public battery-powered cars transport tourists in Hoi An City. The first 30 cars were used to carry local residents and tourists moving in the city's inner destinations. — Photo courtesy Hoi An Shuttle Bus

Deputy Director of the Hoi An Shuttle Bus Company Tran Trung Quang said the first 30 vehicles will be used to transport commuters and tourists from the city’s inner stops and public parks to destinations in the old quarter instead of gasoline-operated options.

Quang said the environmentally-friendly vehicles will also serve commuters with ticket prices from VND10,000 for less than 4km trip to VND15,000 for more than 4km journey. The cars can also be hired for wedding services.

In the first stage, the cars will help connect stops at 14 streets including two top destinations – Cua Dai Beach and Thanh Ha Pottery Village.

More than 90 cars are expected to be used from late 2019 to 2022. 

Bicyle is a favourite vehicle among tourists in Hoi An City. VNS Photo Bui Van Tuan

In 2017, Hoi An City, a UNESCO-recognised world heritage site, used 50 six and eight-seat battery-driven cars to shuttle between public car parks to the old town and popular beaches of An Bang and Cua Dai as a pilot project.

In June, Hoi An, in co-operation with the German Development Co-operation Agency (GIZ) and Health Bridge Canada, launched a pilot bicycle sharing system.

The town hosts at least 10,000 vehicles each day, of which motorbikes account for 77 per cent, and congestion often occurs in the afternoon when coaches carrying tourists arrive.

Since 2002, Hoi An has earmarked several streets for pedestrian and non-engine vehicles to reduce noise and ensure safety in the old quarter, where many foreign tourists ride bicycles.

VNS