Streets in the Old Quarter, already known for their limited space, are facing heavy congestion due to the constant presence of 16-seater and larger buses. Authorities are stepping in with restrictions to manage the situation.
Every day, Hanoi’s Old Quarter sees a large number of 16-seater and larger buses navigating its narrow streets, stopping to pick up and drop off passengers, and causing significant disruptions to other vehicles.
For years, these large passenger buses, mostly catering to tourists, have been a common sight in the area. However, whenever they pass through Hoan Kiem district’s streets, traffic becomes chaotic.One of the most congested spots is Hang Dao Street, where a 45-seater bus maneuvering through the tight space forces motorbike riders to either stop for several minutes or squeeze through small gaps, sometimes even riding onto sidewalks.A similar scene unfolds on Hang Bac Street, where 32-seater and 45-seater buses frequently pass, sometimes moving in a line.At 3:30 PM on February 15, a 45-seater bus stopped at the Hang Bac - Ta Hien intersection to drop off passengers. The unloading process, including retrieving luggage from the storage compartment, took several minutes, causing a temporary traffic jam.On Cau Go Street, a 45-seater bus struggled to move forward due to the narrow road. Just ahead, a taxi stopped to drop off a passenger, further slowing down the flow of vehicles and creating congestion.At the Ta Hien - Dinh Liet intersection, pedestrians were seen tightly holding hands to navigate through the chaotic mix of vehicles.On Cau Go Street, a 16-seater bus attempted to squeeze between two other vehicles, leaving motorbike riders struggling to find space, some losing balance while trying to maneuver forward.The presence of slow-moving large buses forces motorbikes to weave through whatever small gaps they can find, trying to escape traffic jams.Some residents have pointed out that while many Old Quarter streets are designated as one-way for cars, a single stopped bus can cause immediate gridlock.The situation of large buses sharing the already congested streets of the Old Quarter has persisted for years and occurs at all hours of the day.On weekends, even the pedestrian zone is not spared, as large buses continue to stop and drop off passengers, further contributing to the congestion.One of the preferred pickup and drop-off locations for buses carrying over 30 passengers is the area in front of Hang Da Market, where a relatively larger open space is available. However, the entire process of getting passengers on and off, along with handling luggage, can take up to 15 minutes, impacting surrounding traffic.
In response to these ongoing issues, the Hanoi People's Committee has approved a proposal from the Department of Transport to implement time-based restrictions on buses over 16 seats operating in the Old Quarter and around Hoan Kiem Lake, with exceptions for public buses and school transport.
Under this plan, which will take effect on March 1, large buses will only be allowed to operate in the designated area during specific time slots - 6:30 AM to 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. The six-month trial period will be evaluated before the city makes a final decision.
The restricted area includes key roads such as Hang Giay - Dong Xuan - Hang Duong - Hang Ngang - Hang Dao - Dinh Tien Hoang, as well as Hang Dau - Tran Nhat Duat - Nguyen Huu Huan leading into the Old Quarter. Other streets subject to restrictions include Ly Quoc Su, Nha Tho, Nha Chung, Quang Trung (from Trang Thi to Nha Chung), Au Trieu, Bao Khanh, Hang Trong, and the alleys of Hang Hanh and Bao Khanh.
Vietnamnet.vn
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