Hanoi will pilot the rental of electric bicycles to facilitate connection among local bus routes and the bus rapid transit (BRT) system. (Illustrative image: VNA)

The pilot project will be launched by the municipal Department of Transport and the University of Transport Technology, on the route from the AEON Mall Ha Dong to the Van Khe BRT platform, until the end of 2023, followed by a review to expand the model to the entire city.
With funding from the European Commission and Government agencies, the service will be offered free of charge in the pilot period.
People who want to use the service will receive support to install a mobile application, which stores and tracks a user’s movement between the two destinations. The app also indicates the bikes’ battery level and sends an alert if problems arise.
According to the Hanoi Department of Transport, the project aims to improve the efficiency of public transport services as well as reduce personal vehicle use.
Vu Ngoc Khiem, Chairman of the University of Transport Technology’s board, said given the layout of urban areas in the country, travel is heavily reliant on motorbikes, so increasing the use of eco-friendly vehicles and raising public awareness of environmental protection would help reduce congestion and pollution in the capital city.
Buses are currently the only means of public transport in Hanoio, comprising more than 100 routes operated by the State-owned Transerco and several private companies.