HN prepares motorbike ban roadmaps

Illustration photo

Mr. Vien affirmed that by 2030, the city will begin to impose motorbike prohibition in the inner city. 

However, the local authorities will implement different phases and roadmaps to realize the goal. 

Good preparations

Mr. Nguyen Hoang Hai, Director of the Ha Noi Urban Transport Management  and Operation Center announced that in the 2019-2020 period, the Transport Department will research and compose a project to regulate motorbike operation in accordance with infrastructure and serving capacity of the public transport system. The move targets to bring to an end motorbike operation at districts by 2030. 

After getting permission, the transport sector will implement the roadmaps. 

Mr. Hai stressed that the project is of great significance. However, he pointed out that it is extremely difficult as it is complicated and will affect lives of local people. 

He affirmed that the Transport Department and relevant agencies always enforce the laws; ensure transparency, openness and serve for common benefits. 

Not only motorbikes but also cars

Director Hien said that the transport ban will not only prohibit motorbikes but also cars. In reality, the local authorities have partly imposed car bans on taxis, Uber and Grab cars in an effort to reduce traffic congestion. At present, cars have been forbidden to enter a large number of roads and  higher car service fees have been applied.

According to Mr. Vien, traffic congestion is the common matter. Modern cities with proper infrastructure are also struggling with traffic jams not only in Viet Nam. 

He stressed that personal vehicle restrictions must follow specific stages. The first stage will develop and upgrade infrastructure and create the habits of public transport and walking for people. The second stage will control; separate areas and motorbike lines. The third stage will limit personal transport vehicles towards imposing motorbike ban by 2030. At the present, Ha Noi is conducting the second phase. 

The Ha Noi People’s Council issued Resolution 04/2017/NQ-HDND (Resolution 04), dated July 4, 2017 on strengthening road transport vehicles to reduce transport congestion and environmental pollution in the 2017-2020 period with a vision towards 2030. 

The project stipulates a series of measures to manage and develop public transport; reduce private vehicles; contribute to transport jams and environmental pollution. 

The Ha Noi municipal People’s Committee issued Plan 212/KH-UBND, dated August 28, 2017 to implement Resolution 04.  

So far, the Ha Noi Transport Department is working with the General Transport Corporation to build a project on raising transport quality of public buses in the 2016-2020 period towards 2025./.

By Kim Anh