Hanoi considers year-long trial of public bike service

By Dat Nguyen November 15, 2022 | 03:28 pm PT

People ride bikes in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy

The Hanoi Department of Transportation has proposed to the municipal People’s Committee that a public bike service be launched in the capital city for a 12-month trial period.

Under the proposal, private firm Tri Nam will provide 1,000 bikes, 50% of them electric, at 94 locations in the city.

The pilot project is set to cost over VND30.3 billion ($1.22 million).

The company will charge VND10,000 for a 30-minute trip on electric bikes and VND5,000 for the same duration on normal bicycles.

Full-day rent for the electric bike will be VND120,000 and half that for pedal bicycles. Monthly tickets will also be available for commuters, who will make payments with e-wallets.

Six downtown districts will be prioritized for the pilot project, including Ba Dinh, Dong Da, Tay Ho and Hai Ba Trung.

The project is part of the department’s initiatives to diversify public means of transport and to reduce emissions.