Public bus users in Hanoi have complained about inconvenience when a number of bus routes have been changed to prepare for the operation of the Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro line.

Complaints raised over metro adjusted bus routes

Nguyen Hoang Hai, director of Hanoi Public Transport Management and Operation Centre, said the Department of Transport had submitted plans to the city people's committee to connect public bus system and the metro line.

They will adjust four bus routes that coincide with the metro line, reducing the number of buses that run along the Cat Linh-Ha Dong line and only keep some buses that run from Yen Nghia Bus Station to the outskirts of the city.

Many passengers have expressed concern over the news on March 23. 45-year-old Nguyen Van Long from Ha Dong District, said usually, he only had to take one bus to go to his workplace on Tay Son Street.

"If the buses are reduced, I’ll have to take the metro line. As the train comes to Lang Station or other stations, I'll have to take another bus to go to work. My travel time will be much longer," he said.

Vu Hong Truong, director of Hanoi Metro, said that they would continue to adjust the routes of seven buses from Cat Linh Bus Station, 11 buses from Yen Nghia Station and two to three buses from other stations to better connect the bus system and the metro line.

He emphasised that the authorities hoped to limit the number of personal vehicles and change the travel habit of the locals with the metro line.

Nguyen Van Nam, former director of Trade Research Institute, agreed that the city should give priority to the metro line. However, before making any changes, the authorities should make sure that the connections between different modes of transport are efficient and convenient for commuters.

Lao Dong/Dtinews