With the desire to bring the public bike rental model to better serve tourists and residents, the Da Nang transport industry is rushing to complete infrastructure construction to bring the bike rental service into operation by the end of March 2023 to mark the 48^th anniversary of the city’s liberation.

A pilot point of public bike rental model in Da Nang. Photo: THANH LAN

As announced by Director of the Department of Transport Bui Hong Trung, the installation of 61 stations for the first-ever public bicycle rental service in Da Nang is being kept on track on a trial basis, with a total of 600 bicycles available for rent.

This is a latest move to help minimise the use of private motor vehicles, cut traffic congestion, reduce travel cost and improve air quality in the city in the time ahead.

Directed by the Centre for Operation of Traffic and Public Transport Signals (DATRAMAC) under the Da Nang Department of Transport, in the rest of March and April, the stations are being installed at 32 positions in Hai Chau District, five in Thanh Khe and Ngu Hanh Son districts each, 16 in Son Tra District, and three in Cam Le.

These bicycle stations are located near bus stops to connect themselves to the public passenger transport system.

As reported by Mr. Ho Nguyen Quoc Cuong, Deputy Director in charge of the Da Nang Centre for Operation of Traffic Signals and Public Transport (DATRAMAC), the Tri Nam Digital Transport Service JSC operates the new service.

During the pilot period of 12 months from the date of operation, the rental price is fixed at VND 5,000 per 30 minutes and daily tickets are set at VND 50,000 for all users.

Those who want to experience this new service need to install the TNGO application available on their smartphones, then register and log in to their accounts with their phone numbers.

The app allows users to locate the nearest station and select the time they would like to rent the bikes, lock or unlock vehicles at any rental spots by scanning QR codes and make rental fee payments via such popular e-wallets as MoMo, Zalo, Viettel and VTCPay.

The app, in addition to helping users find the nearest bike rental spot, also keeps track of data such as kilometres travelled, calories burned, and the amount of carbon emissions a user has cut down by not using other vehicles.

Bikes are equipped with smart anti-theft locks, GPS systems, distinctive number plates, as well as front baskets and headlights. Their solid honeycomb tyres help prevent punctures, ensuring smoothness when traveling.

In addition, they are designed with appropriate heights of users of all ages and genders. In particular, each bike is attached with an ID card, and through the central software system, the operator can monitor where the bike is or which customer is using it.

Infrastructure at a public bike rental station in Da Nang has just been completed. Photo: T.L

Do Quynh Anh, a tourist from the southern metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City, said that this service has been deployed in Ho Chi Minh City and initially attracted a large number of users, especially tourists. However, in order to promote the full function of the service, it is a need to enhance the service coverage throughout the city so that cyclists can go to all their favourite spots.

Meanwhile, student Le Ha Trang from the Da Nang University of Architecture expressed her eagerness to experience this service soon. Because according to the price of VND 5,000/ 30 minutes is acceptable, if young people go in a large group, they have the opportunity to stroll along urban busystreets and enjoy their favourite street food in the inner-city.

Mr. Le Van Thanh, a representative of Phuong Thanh Tourist Service Company located in Son Tra District, said that public bike rental services have been deployed in two large localities, namely Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City, with the goal of partly contributing to reducing traffic congestion, minimising environmental pollution, saving fuel sources towards the goal of building green - clean - beautiful cites.

However, in fact, after the implementation period, bike rental points only operated for a very short time and then went into hiatus due to lack of customers and resources to maintain the service. Therefore, in order not to "step on the wrong path", the city's authorities as well as investors need to specifically draw lessons and come up with ideas to run the new service for a long time. 

Mr. Do Ba Quan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tri Nam Digital Transport Service JSC positively assessed the bike rental market in Da Nang given the fact that the city's area is flat and its roads are wide and convenient for traffic, and especially, Da Nang is an attractive destination for tourists. Besides, the company has already deployed this service in 4 Vietnamese cities so it has a lot of experience.

At the same time, the company's experienced customer service staff will help locals and tourists to use the service better.

Reporting by THANH LAN - Translating by A.THU