Work has commented on the installation of 61 stations for the first-ever public bicycle rental service in Da Nang on a trial basis, with a total of 600 bicycles available for rent so as to encourage an alternative, greener method of transportation in this hub of tourism.

Illustrative image. (Photo: Internet)

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. 

Operated 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 will be 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.

Also announced by DATRAMAC, the bikes are equipped with smart locks, GPS systems, distinctive number plates, as well as front baskets and headlights. 

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. The completion of the bike rental is counted when the user returns the vehicle to any station.

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.

Reporting by THANH LAN - Translating by A.THU