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From the beginning of December, after handing over 43 parking spaces in the city center and preparing for the installation of signs and marking parking spaces, Tri Nam Group launched a trial of this service and received much attention from the people of Ho Chi Minh City.
Previously, the public bicycle system, which was planned for deployment in April, was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Tri Nam Group initially conducted trial runs at the Le Loi station and plans to roll out the system to the remaining 42 stations by December 15th. The system is expected to operate for one year, after which the Group and the City Management Board will review the acceptance results to decide whether to continue operating it.
The vehicles were inspected, maintained, fitted with SIM cards, and had their integrated locking systems synchronized with the automated management system installed by company staff before being put into testing.
Each station will be equipped with 10 to 20 bicycles. The bicycles used are equipped with smart locks, GPS tracking, and can be locked or unlocked via 2G, 3G, 4G network connection or Bluetooth on a mobile device.
To use this service, people will download and install the free Mobike app on their smartphones, then scan the surrounding area to find the nearest available moped. To prevent theft, each moped is equipped with an ID monitoring device, and users are required to provide complete personal information. After completing the trip, users park their moped in the designated area and lock it again.
Users can book a vehicle in advance via the mobile app or website, and unlock the vehicle at the station by scanning a QR code or using a magnetic card.
From the very first days of testing, the public bicycle sharing model attracted the attention of hundreds of city residents, with many young people, children, and even elderly people enthusiastically participating in the experience. Some opinions suggest that the public bicycle service should be connected to tourist destinations to serve the transportation needs of visitors.
The majority support expanding this type of transportation throughout the city, arguing that it is an environmentally friendly measure, saves on transportation costs, and is perfectly suited to Ho Chi Minh City in the post-social distancing period, when people have a high demand for bicycles to improve their health and for more convenient travel between bus stops.
Many residents had their first experience exploring the city center on public bicycles.
Despite its relatively heavy design, the bike is considered to ride quite smoothly, feeling light and stable. The use of non-inflatable tires, unlike conventional bicycles, not only prevents it from feeling heavy but also helps absorb shocks and protect against punctures. The frame is also designed to be rust-resistant, meaning it won't easily be damaged by rain or sun.
The rental price is calculated by time, initially at 5,000 VND for 30 minutes and 10,000 VND for one hour. The company is currently researching to diversify the ticket options. In the initial phase, the system will also offer the first 15 minutes of the ride free for passengers.
