From 21st April 2017, the Department of Transportation has announced a new service with an aim to encourage local citizens using public transportation means and to provide tourists with a safe method to travel within the city.
As planned, around the city centre, there will be numerous bike-sharing stations where you can borrow a bike to travel short-distance trips like between bus-stops. Casual riding under one hour is served free.
The central concept of the bicycle sharing system which is not new in western countries is to provide free and affordable access to transportation method that could replace motorized public transport or private vehicles. Therefore traffic congestion, noise and pollution can be reduced.
System’s installation also allows borrowers to return the bike at the arrival station, making this service so convenient to use. Each bike has an electric lock and the borrower’s information is also kept for tracking.
Besides this wonderful plan, HCMC also wants to upgrade the city’s public bus system in term 2018 – 2020, open new bus connecting metro and bus rapid transit and allocate a new road lane for city buses.
Bicycle sharing system is one important point in the whole plan to improve the city’s facilities of an HCMC more modern, organized and environment-friendly.
Fiona