HCM City plans to offer public bicycle rental services in downtown areas in 2020. (Photo: VNA/VNS)

The bicycles will be put at sites near public bus stops to create more convenience for people who access the service. About 10-20 bicycles will be offered at each site. 

People can rent the bicycles by installing an application on their phone called Mobike which provides information on the nearest bicycle parking site and allows them to pay via QR code and scan the codes to unlock the vehicles. They must provide personal information to service providers. 

The price is 5,000 VND (22 USD cents) for 30 minutes and 10,000 VND (43 US cents) for an hour. It will be free for the first 15 minutes for the first three months to encourage people to use them. 

The pilot scheme is expected to start in December if approved by the municipal People’s Committee.