According to the Project on transporting students to school by electric bus, Quang Ninh province will pilot the service of electric bus transporting students for free in Ha Long, Hong Gai and Ha Tu wards, belonging to the old Ha Long City, right from the 2026-2027 school year.
These are areas with high school and student density and travel demand, often experiencing traffic congestion during school pick-up and drop-off hours; and at the same time have basic infrastructure conditions to meet the requirements of organizing transportation by electric buses.
In the first school year, 6 electric bus routes will be deployed to connect residential areas, pick-up and drop-off points for students with schools or school clusters.
In the first phase, about 50 30-seater electric buses will be arranged, serving about 2,151 students in need.
In case of increased demand, based on the results of deployment, resource balance capacity and decisions of competent authorities, the number of vehicles may be considered for allocation of a maximum of 100 vehicles.
Talking to Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Bui Hong Minh - Deputy Director of Quang Ninh Provincial Department of Construction - said that relevant agencies are currently developing mechanisms and policies to support businesses participating in the Project to report to the Provincial People's Committee for consideration before submitting to the Provincial People's Council at the specialized meeting in August 2026.
Accordingly, businesses will pay for electric buses themselves and organize operations; the province is expected to support an average of 105 million VND/bus/month and about 70% of the bank loan interest rate. In the immediate future, the time to enjoy this support policy is only in the 2026-2027 school year (9 months).
Also according to Mr. Minh, according to the student pick-up and drop-off plan, during peak hours, there will be 1 bus/route every 5 minutes, ensuring that it takes no more than 30 minutes from the time students get on the bus to school.
After a year of testing, Quang Ninh will evaluate, summarize, and draw experience to make further decisions for the Project.
