VietNamNet Bridge – Northern Hai Phong City's People's Committee has decided to close Tam Bac Coach Station from the middle of this month to develop a park there.

Tam Bac Coach Station at the centre of Hai Phong City will be closed from the middle of this month to make space for a green space project. — Photo anhp.vn

Vice chairman of the committee, Le Thanh Son, on May 19 approved a proposal by the city's Transport Department for closing the station by the end of last month.

Coaches running on the Ha Noi–Hai Phong route will move to other stations in the city, such as Thuong Ly and Niem Nghia Station.

However, transport firms have complained they will be unable to manage the change at such short announcement, said secretariat of the municipal People's Committee office Pham Huu Thu.

Thu said on Saturday that the deadline for the closure was extended to give transport firms more time for preparation.

Tam Bac Coach Station was built in 1989 at the centre of Hai Phong City. It is opposite Tam Bac Lake and is next to Sat Market, a major market in the city. The location of the station is quite convenient for local residents and visitors to the city.

There are 106 coaches running on the Ha Noi–Hai Phong route daily and 37 coaches to and from other provinces.

The city planned to close the station four years ago as coaches reportedly picked up passengers along crowded streets in the inner areas of the city, causing traffic jams and threatening road safety.

Director of Thanh Long Coach Joint Stocks Company Bui Duc Binh recommended that transport firms should be allowed to choose alternative stations, such as Cau Rao, Vinh Bao, Niem Nghia or Thuong Ly to ensure their business runs smoothly.

Transport firms have refused to move to Thuong Ly Station that was built last year, citing that it lacks many facilities, including drainage system as well as fire fighting and prevention equipment.

Firms have pointed out that traffic congestion can happen when additional 100 coaches from Tam Bac Station start operating at Thuong Ly Station, given that the station has only one gate.

VNS