Clearly demonstrating the key role
During the days of celebrating the 80th anniversary of the successful August Revolution and the National Day on September 2 (A80), Hanoi's VTHKCC system has clearly demonstrated its role as the main means of serving people and tourists. The sudden increase in the number of passengers also confirmed that people have changed their awareness, limiting the use of personal vehicles, switching to public transport such as urban railways (ADRs) and buses.
According to Lao Dong Newspaper reporters, in recent days, when Hanoi and the whole country are making efforts to prepare for the A80 Festival, the VTHKCC system has proven its capacity, usefulness and superiority in passenger transportation.
According to Mr. Thai Ho Phuong - Director of the Hanoi Traffic Management and Operation Center, to serve people and tourists, the unit has coordinated with the Department of Construction, Hanoi Railway Company Limited, and bus operators to develop detailed plans, adjust routes, increase frequency, and extend service time.
For example, on August 27, at the end of the preliminary approval event, 238,000 passengers were transported and on September 2, a record number was set with more than 239,000 passengers, operating a total of 626 ships.
Talking to a reporter from Lao Dong Newspaper, Dr. Vu Hong Truong said that on the occasion of the A80 Festival, Hanoi Metro has performed well the function of transporting passengers in special cases. Compared to the design capacity, the system still meets well, and at the same time, this is also a test for the connectivity and service capacity of the entire system - from train equipment to staff - after more than 3 years of operation.
"The most important thing is that after this operation, many people have changed their awareness, switching from personal vehicles to public vehicles. This is a great opportunity: When private vehicles are banned and restricted, public passenger transport is the main source to support people's travel and is also an opportunity for tourism businesses to increasingly attract more passengers" - Mr. Truong emphasized.
Opportunities to change people's travel habits
According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh Loan (Hoa Binh 7 Alley, Bach Mai Ward, Hanoi), buses and urban railways operate promptly to relieve passengers.
"Once when there are big events and large crowds like this, you can fully feel the value of public transport" - she shared. Mr. Nguyen Van Nam (residing in Thanh Oai, Hanoi) said that on the evening of August 30, after reviewing the rehearsal, he and his family took the train from Cat Linh to Yen Nghia wharf, then continued to take the bus home very conveniently. Public transport staff, despite being late in serving, are still friendly and thoughtful, making passengers feel secure.
In the context of many routes having to limit traffic and travel demand increasing dramatically, the Center has implemented many flexible scenarios. At many times, 18 bus routes had to stop operating at the same time; 31 routes adjusted their routes; and opened additional routes operating late such as route 35A connecting Cat Linh station and routes 22A, 50, 107 connecting Cau Giay station to relieve passengers.
According to traffic experts, with the largest population and number of personal vehicles, Hanoi City is under great traffic pressure, especially during important holidays. The VTHKCC system has worked with great intensity, ensuring safe and thoughtful service, "leaving no one behind at night".
The sudden increase in demand is also a testament to people's increasingly strong trust in VTHKCC.
"The space for developing Hanoi's administrative procedures is still very large. If we can build a wide network of e-bikes, closely connected to public buses, bicycles, and electric bicycles, service efficiency will increase many times, becoming the top choice of the people, contributing significantly to changing the habit of using personal vehicles" - Mr. Phuong said.
