Strong development but not as expected
With the goal of meeting 22-25% of travel demand by 2024, Hanoi's public transport will reach at least 30% by 2025.
In recent years, Hanoi has made many efforts to expand the network, invest in vehicle innovation, and increase the application of science and technology in management and operation, helping people access public passenger transport services more easily. Along with the addition of 2 train lines, Metro Cat Linh - Ha Dong, Nhon - Hanoi Railway Station connects with buses to serve the travel needs of passengers. However, the passenger volume has not yet met expectations.
By the end of September 2024, the rate of public passenger transport in Hanoi will reach 19.5% of the total travel demand of the people. Of which, the number of regular passengers (students, employees, priority groups - the elderly) accounts for 70% of the output...
According to experts, there are many reasons why passengers rarely use public transport, concentrated in 4 main groups such as the COVID-19 pandemic lasting from 2020 to the end of 2022, seriously affecting public passenger transport; the progress of putting the urban railway system into operation has not met expectations. Up to now, only route 2A and the elevated section Nhon - Hanoi Railway Station have been put into operation. Along with that, Hanoi is implementing a number of key projects, so the operating time of buses is affected.
Activating the superiority of public passenger transport
According to Mr. Nghiem Thang - Vice President of Hanoi Public Passenger Transport Association, in order for public passenger transport to attract customers, it is necessary to focus on shortening travel time for people when using the service, thereby increasing competitiveness with personal vehicles; improving the service quality of staff; constantly striving to improve the quality of vehicles; focusing on expanding, supplementing, and investing in bus stops and shelters...
However, with the mutual symbiosis of railways and buses, along with Hanoi's determination, daring and willingness to do in building 6 elevated railway lines, Mr. Nghiem Thang believes that it is completely possible to bring advantages to public passenger transport.
According to General Director of Hanoi Railway Company Limited Vu Hong Truong, in order for buses and metros to attract more passengers, in the coming period buses need to focus on competing with personal vehicles in terms of travel costs, safety and service attitude.
According to Mr. Truong, with public transport, no means of transport is born to eliminate other means. Public transport means are a family, if they cooperate with each other, they will help the whole system to be healthy. Therefore, Hanoi needs to clearly identify where public passenger transport is; then, drastically and simultaneously implement solutions, change awareness and have breakthrough thinking, the goal of public transport in large cities can be achieved to increase the rate of people using it as a means of transport.
Giving advice to the management agency, traffic expert Phan Le Binh said that travel time can only be shortened if there are separate lanes for public buses such as BRT routes. Therefore, the State management agency must ensure connectivity for people to be able to ride bicycles, motorbikes to train stations, bus stations or use buses connecting to urban railways, buses to BRT routes to increase the number of passengers choosing as a means of transportation.
According to experts, to increase the rate of meeting the travel needs of public passenger transport, if only the Transport sector alone, it is difficult to solve it, but it requires the strong direction of the city, the consensus of the people participating in using public passenger transport services, the accompaniment of the Media Agency to inform and propagate to each citizen to understand the rights of each citizen of the Capital who is enjoying preferential policies of the State and the city (priority monthly tickets, free tickets, ticket prices ...), at the same time it is also the responsibility to participate in contributing to limiting personal vehicles, reducing traffic congestion, environmental pollution, and joining hands to build a clean, green and beautiful city!
According to statistics, Hanoi currently has 153 bus routes in operation, including 128 subsidized bus routes, 9 non-subsidized bus routes, 13 adjacent bus routes and 3 City tour routes.
