HN looks to develop public transport

Building friendly bus fleet

Under Decision 280/QD-TTg, dated March 8, 2012 approving the scheme for the development of public transportation by bus by 2020, bus transportation plays as a strategic role in surmounting traffic congestion, minimizing accidents, and reducing environmental pollution.

So far, buses have contributed remarkably in reducing traffic jams and accidents; and constraining individual vehicles.

The number of buses grew sharply by 2.7 times from 31 to 83 lines in the 2001-2015 period.

Up to buses are available at 319 streets out of 928 which are operational for the public vehicle. Bus transportation handled 431.7 million of passengers.

In the next five to ten years, bus transport will met 20-25% of transport demand for local residents. The local authorities planned to open new routes and expand operation to outskirts.

Developing public transport system

Deputy Director of the Transport Development and Strategy Institute under the Transport Ministry Le Do Muoi said that due to the deficiency of the land reserve fund, passengers find it difficult to access to the public transport.

To develop public transport, the city was asked to develop bus network and infrastructure; improve bus quality; beef up IT application; strengthen information system for passengers; stabilize prices; and improve management.

The local authorities of Ha Noi proposed the Government continue to provide price subsidy with a view to enabling more people to use buses; prioritize eco-friendly vehicles in favor of the handicap./.

By Kim Loan