Da Nang to launch public bike rental service

The central city of Da Nang will launch a one-year pilot programme on providing public bikes from March 29 in the hope of curbing personal vehicles, reducing environmental pollution, and promoting smart sustainable transport.

According to the Da Nang Municipal Transport Department, a total of 61 stations with about 600 bikes will be opened across five districts in the city. The stations are built near bus stops and crowded areas to attract users.

The bikes used in the programme are designed with an anti-theft lock, an ID card, locating device, and a solar charger.

The bikes cost VND5,000 (US$0.21) for every 30 minutes and VND50,000 ($2.1) per day for each trip lasting 7.5 hours at the maximum. 

Bike users must download the TNGO app by Tri Nam Corporation on their cellphones to unlock the vehicles and can pay via e-wallets including ZaloPay, MoMo, ViettelPay, and VTC Pay.

Bui Hong Trung, director of the city’s Transport Department said that after the pilot period, the department will review and consider expanding the public bike programme if it proves to be effective.

As reported, Tri Nam has been also operating the same public bicycle share service in Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau City in southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, Quy Nhon City in south-central Binh Dinh Province, and Hai Duong City in the namesake northern province, according to the company’s website.