An interoperable smart card system will be introduced for public transport in Hanoi, with support coming from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

A Record of Discussions (R/D) for the “Supporting the Development of an Interoperable Smart Card System for Public Transportation in Hanoi” Technical Cooperation Project was signed on August 31.

The project will be carried out for two years from early 2018, aimed at improving the technical and management capacity of counterpart agencies under the Hanoi People’s Committee (HPC).  

A common technical platform for all means of public transportation in the capital will be developed, including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses, regular buses, and urban railway lines, which will facilitate smooth use for passengers commuting by public transport.

In the future, the e-ticket can also be used as e-money at many shopping malls in Hanoi. The project will therefore contribute to setting a basis for a smart city in the years to come.

Given Hanoi’s traffic congestion, an increase of traffic accidents, a deterioration in air quality, and difficult access to urban areas, the development of public transport such as urban railway lines, the BRT, and the expansion of the city’s regular bus network system are being pushed forward.

An initiative is therefore needed to develop common rules defining the technical details of an interoperable automatic fare collection (AFC) system for the settlement of payments among different transport operators.

JICA decided to provide technical cooperation to formulate the “Design Guidelines and Specifications” for an interoperable smart card system for all public transport in Hanoi.

VN Economic Times