Mr. Linh said that the model was put into operation earlier this year on six routes, including Long Biên-Bắc Ninh, Giáp Bát-Mỹ Đình, Long Biên-Đông Mỹ, Giáp Bát-Đông Ngạc, Giáp Bát-Nhổn and Bác Cổ-Yên Nghĩa, to deal with over-crowed bus stops and to shorten journey times.

These routes were serviced from Monday to Friday during peak hours and drives were give permission to skip bus stops and actively search for alternative ways to avoid traffic congestion. After a four-month trial, it was found to be both effective and economical, in spite of a number of problems caused by poor infrastructure, Mr. Linh said.

The department recently surveyed 1,537 passengers and more than 94% of them agreed to use this form of public transport rather than their own vehicles, an increase of nearly 4% compared to a survey conducted in March. On top of this, more than 93% of passengers thought the model was convenient, an increase of nearly 7%.

Mr. Nguyễn Hoàng Hải, Director of the Urban Traffic Management Center, said the Department planned to open seven more routes in suburban areas, including Giáp Bát-Thường Tín, Cầu Giấy-Phùng Bus Station, Nam Thăng Long-Núi Đôi, Giáp Bát-Yên Nghĩa, Văn Điển-Nghĩa Đô, Mỹ Đình-Cổ Loa and Yên Phụ-Highway No. 2-Thanh Tước.

Those routes would go into operation in July and could reduce journey times by up to 45 minutes on each route, he said.