Almost a week since it was officially launched, the first bus rapid transit (BRT) route, from Kim Ma station in Ba Dinh District to Yen Nghia station in Ha Dong District, received initial support from residents.

With the aim of giving priority to public transport, Hanoi has made efforts to create favourable conditions for rapid buses to effectively operate, contributing to less traffic congestion.

Nguyen Thuy, Director of the Hanoi BRT Company under the Hanoi Transport and Services Corporation, said that on the first day of operation, the bus system operated 264 trips, carrying 8,317 passengers, including numerous people in wheelchairs. The bus stops attracting a high number of passengers were in Kim Ma, Yen Nghia, Hoang Dao Thuy, Thanh Cong and Giang Vo streets. On the second day, the BRT operated 358 trips, carrying 10,433 passengers.

Notably, thanks to proactive communication, other vehicle owners, particularly car drivers, have observed regulations related to lanes designated for rapid buses. 

Nguyen Van Hai from Trung Hoa – Nhan Chinh urban area said that the BRT is a safe, civilised and friendly public vehicle which runs in its own lanes. Both the stations and buses are very clean, beautiful and convenient, he said. The passenger also expressed hope that the rapid bus operating schedule would be adhered to (a bus departing every 5, 10 and 15 minutes); as well as management agencies launching more routes and creating convenient connections with other bus routes.

It can be seen that BRT gradually attracts more passengers to use this public vehicle. However, many people using other means of transport have had mixed opinions regarding the rapid buses. The 14.7 km route starts at Kim Ma bus station and runs through Giang Vo, Lang Ha, Le Van Luong, To Huu, Le Trong Tan, Tran Phu and Ba La streets, to Yen Nghia station. The streets have high vehicle density, so traffic jams have occurred frequently during rush hour; therefore, the operation of the rapid buses means a reduction in available traffic area for other vehicles.

In addition, the traffic organisation was adjusted towards priority for the BRT, restriction of other vehicles to turn left and banning them from travelling on overpasses during the rush hour, which caused severe traffic congestion on the days of the BRT pilot.

Vu Ha, Director of the Hanoi Urban Transport Development Project Management Unit, said that relevant agencies have carefully studied the BRT route. The transport infrastructure on the route’s streets met requirements for a BRT service; while they will connect with two urban railway lines that are being built. The designed operating frequency of rapid buses can be only maintained while running on dedicated lanes; therefore, the work of traffic organisation was implemented on the basis of giving priority to this kind of vehicle. During the operation, the management board will co-ordinate with relevant agencies to continue to review and give reasonable adjustments; for example, controlling traffic lights, setting plans for other vehicles to turn left and supplementing warning and instruction signs.

Development of public transport, particularly rapid and large-scale vehicles and urban railway, in major cities like Hanoi, is a correct policy to ease traffic jams. This is also the inevitable trend of development in modern urban areas in the world.

According to experts from the Transport And Development Strategy Institute, if the number of personal vehicles continues to increase, the capital’s traffic will face severe congestion in 2020. The streets in the urban area will be seriously overwhelmed (up around 7.5-10 times compared to the current situation). Therefore, in addition to enhancement of the investment on transport infrastructure, the development of public transport is an urgent measure.

Currently, a BRT route cannot solve traffic congestion in the urban area; however it was considered as a breakthrough to develop the public transport system as well as raise public awareness of participating in the traffic. Creating favourable conditions for the new status of vehicle to operate, as well as effectively connecting them with other vehicles, will encourage people to reduce personal vehicle usage.

According to Dr. Dinh Thi Thanh Binh, a lecturer of University of Communications and Transport, it is essential to continue to promote the development of BRT routes, in connection with urban railway lines. She stressed that the city should be determined to drastically implement measures to solve the problems related to the operation of the rapid buses, particularly in the communications designed to raise public awareness.

Nhan Dan