Free bus and train tickets are an important step to change people's traffic habits and reduce dependence on private cars.
To change that habit, it is not possible to just call for slogans, but to create benefits for people to voluntarily switch.
For students or workers, monthly travel expenses are a significant amount. When free or strongly supported in terms of fares, public transport will become more attractive.
A bus ride is no longer just a "saving" option, but gradually becomes a daily commuting habit.
The more people use it, the greater the spillover effect will be, gradually forming a public transport culture, something that many cities in developed countries have been doing for a long time.
The important thing is that this policy targets the group with the highest ability to change behavior. Students are a young force, easily adapting to the new transportation model.
Industrial park workers also have a need to travel regularly, on fixed routes. If these groups can be pulled out of motorbikes to get on buses and trains, traffic pressure will be significantly reduced.
Not only reducing congestion, environmental benefits are also very clear. Each person getting rid of one motorbike on the road reduces emissions, reduces noise, and reduces pressure on urban infrastructure.
This is an important foundation to promote the green transportation transition process, a goal that Hanoi is pursuing.
However, free tickets are only part of the problem.
People will not give up personal vehicles if public transport is slow, inconvenient or lacks connection. Therefore, along with the price support policy, the city must continue to invest heavily in service quality.
Hanoi's introduction of 52 more electric buses into operation, bringing the total number of electric and green-energy buses to nearly 800, shows the right direction.
Cleaner, more modern, and smoother cars will create a positive experience for passengers.
But what people need more is a wide, timely network, convenient connection between buses, trains and residential areas, schools, and industrial parks.
A public transport system is only truly attractive when people feel it is more convenient or at least not less inconvenient than private cars.
Therefore, bus fare exemption should be seen as an investment for the future of urban areas, not simply supporting travel costs.
People switch to public transport more, the city will reduce congestion, accidents, pollution and infrastructure pressure.
Long-term social benefits are much greater than the initial budget.
