Hanoi may have as many modes of public transport as possible; however, buses will remain mainstream public transport modal for at least another 20 years, Prof. Tu Sy Sua, an urban transport expert, said at a workshop in Hanoi on June 20.

According to the urban transport expert, currently buses are facing a decline in market share while the locals' travelling demand is increasing.

Buses to remain Hanoi's mainstream public transport for another 20 years.

In the 2020-2030 period, Hanoi will have some types of public transport with large capacity such as eight Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes and nine urban railway lines. However, in the coming period, these modes of public transport only meet 4-5% of the demand even operating at full capacity. Thus, the remaining passengers will still use buses, accounting for 15-20%.

In addition, the future development of bus transport should ensure service quality and management through standardized data connection, Sua said, adding that "buses must be faster than bicycles, cheaper than motorbikes and more comfortable than taxis to attract a large number of people."

According to Nguyen The Binh, deputy director of the Hanoi Urban Transport Management Center, buses lines have covered 100% of Hanoi’s districts, reached 100% of the city’s schools, 86% of industrial parks and 90% of urban areas in the capital. Hanoi is currently operating 2000 buses, 326 bus stops, 361 roofed stops, five interchanges, employs more than 4,000 drivers and employees.

Binh also said that Hanoi’s buses efficiency is seriously affected by traffic jam. According to the statistics by the Hanoi Urban Transport Management Center, 180 thousand bus trips were either canceled or had itineraries adjusted due to traffic jams in 2018, accounting for 3.5% of the service volume. Thus, Hanoi's authority should implement support policies for this modal of public transport. Hanoitimes

Tuan Minh

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