Young people use the public bicycle-sharing service in HCM City. The service has received positive feedback from locals so far. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội’s Department of Transport has proposed that the city’s People's Committee allow Trí Nam Group to pilot a bicycle-sharing service in six city districts.

Under the plan, the public bicycle-sharing service will be carried out over a period of 12 months in the six districts of Hoàn Kiếm, Đống Đa, Thanh Xuân, Hai Bà Trưng, Ba Đình, and Tây Hồ.

As many as 94 rental spots and 1,000 bicycles, half of which are electric, will be put into operation. The total cost is about VNĐ30.2 billion (US$1.21 million).

The cost for each 30-minute use is VNĐ5,000 ($0.2) for a regular bicycle and VNĐ10,000 ($0.4) for an electric one.

The cost for the whole day will be VNĐ60,000 ($2.4) and VNĐ120,000 ($4.8), respectively.

Monthly and yearly tickets will be available. Rentals can be paid through bank transfer and e-wallet.

During the pilot period, Trí Nam Group, the investor of the project, will get permission to use the sidewalks free of charge as a favourable condition for the development of the service, the department said.

The public bicycle-sharing service has been piloted in HCM City, Vũng Tàu and Quy Nhơn cities, and northern Hải Dương Province. The model, which helps limit private vehicles, ease traffic congestion and protect the environment, has been warmly welcomed by both locals and tourists.

Đào Việt Long, deputy director of Hà Nội’s Department of Transport, said that based on the results and efficiency of Trí Nam Group's service business as well as the opinions of departments, agencies and others, the department would consider the expansion of the service provision as well as the collection of a sidewalk fee from the investor.

The group has considered conditions for the implementation of the project and affirmed they couldn’t carry out the service for free during the pilot period as the capital is all from the enterprise's equity.

The group has calculated that it would take at least seven years to recover the initial investment and management costs for the service if the service receives passenger support like it has in HCM City.

Long said Hà Nội has approved the project to strengthen the management of road vehicles to reduce traffic congestion and environmental pollution in the city. A public bicycle service would help replace private vehicles for short trips between residential areas, bus stations, and metro stations.

Public bicycle service is a good option to ensure service to people, he said, adding that the pilot project would encourage enterprises to invest in this field instead of the Government having to use State budget.

Long said the pilot cities agreed to allow the investor to collect service fees. The investor has not received any feedback or questions about the fee collection from people in these cities.

After the pilot period, the department would evaluate the results of the pilot service and report to the People's Committee, he said.

On March 22, the city’s People’s Committee assigned the Department of Transport to set up a project to develop public bicycle service in downtown areas of the city after the model got positive feedback from passengers in HCM City. — VNS