The HCMC government does not have a plan to completely ban motorcycles from entering the downtown area but will develop public transport and gradually limit motorbike traffic in inner-city areas, the local media reported, citing Vice Chairman Tran Vinh Tuyen.

Drivers get stuck in a heavy traffic jam in HCMC

On the sidelines of a meeting on traffic safety by the National Assembly Justice Committee, held today, March 6, Tuyen noted that the city will limit motorcycles in the downtown area when local residents find it convenient to use public transport services.

The city will not prohibit activities allowed by law, he noted, adding that the city aims to promote the development of public transport, which is important for a modern city.

Therefore, the city has invested heavily in a metro line, bus rapid transit line and water bus projects. In the future, the city will also make bicycles available at stations along water bus routes so that commuters can use them to travel to the stations of metro lines and bus rapid transit lines or to their working places.

Further, the city is working on a plan to reuse underground space across the city to manage the worsening traffic congestion.

The diversity of public transport will provide local residents with more travel choices and help reduce the volume of motorbikes.

Under the city’s plan to enhance the public transport system in collaboration with controlling private vehicles, the proportion of public transport service users is expected to increase to at least 15% by 2020 from the current 9.7%.

The city will accelerate the progress of the metro line No. 1 and 2 projects and the first bus rapid transit project, according to the HCMC Department of Transport.

In addition, the city will invest in public vehicles until 2021 and continue offering subsidies for buses.

SGT