According to a representative of the Department of Construction, the draft Project on supporting school transportation for students in the province has been commented on by the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and is being completed by relevant units so that it can be implemented from next school year.
It is expected that in the initial phase, about 65 30-seater buses will be arranged to organize school bus pick-up and drop-off on fixed routes; build about 150 student pick-up and drop-off points and 3 parking lots to serve operation activities.
The expected implementation time is from 6 months to 1 year, starting in the 2026 - 2027 school year. After that, a comprehensive summary and evaluation of the implementation results will be organized to serve as a basis for considering the continued implementation, adjustment or replication in the next phase.
Ms. Nguyen Thu Phuong, who lives in Bai Chay and has a child studying at Trong Diem Secondary School, Ha Long ward, said that it is not clear whether the province will open a free bus route in the old Ha Long City or not, if possible, she will not have to pick up and drop off her child every day.
From her house to Trong Diem Secondary School is about 15km, cycling is too far and uncertain, and public buses do not pass through her house and school.
“The time to pick up and drop off children is all peak hours, so traveling is quite hard. Not to mention, work at the office does not always end before children finish school. If there are school buses, parents will be much lighter” - Ms. Phuong shared.
The story of Ms. Phuong's family is also a reality happening in many localities of Quang Ninh.
Every morning and late afternoon, in front of the gates of many schools, there are always crowds of motorbikes and cars of parents picking up and dropping off their children. Many families, both parents, have to adjust their work schedules around their children's school hours. Many groups of parents pool money to rent private cars to pick up and drop off their children to school. Therefore, when Quang Ninh researched and prepared to deploy a model of buses to pick up and drop off students to school for free, many parents expressed their agreement and expectations.
In particular, Quang Ninh will synchronously apply digital technology in management, operation and supervision. Parents can track the bus journey in real time, knowing when their children get on the bus, off the bus and go to school.
This is not just a traffic solution, school buses also carry the meaning of a social security policy.
Worker families working in shifts in industrial parks, business households having to open stores early in the morning, or parents working far from home will significantly reduce the pressure in taking care of their children.
For mountainous areas, remote areas, border areas and islands, organizing shuttle buses can also help students access education more conveniently, limiting the situation of going to school far away in difficult traffic conditions.
For many years, Quang Ninh has always been a pioneer in policies for education and children. The study of organizing free school buses continues to show the province's efforts in reducing the burden of costs and time for families.
