Public gives Hanoi train feedback

Hanoi (VNA) - The public has suggested changing the design and colour of the overhead train prototype for the Cat Linh-Ha Dong urban railway project in Hanoi, the Railway Project Management Unit said.

Le Kim Thanh, director of the unit, said that after one month, the unit has received roughly 2,000 comments from the public on the design of the trains.

The model train, manufactured by China's Beijing Subway Rolling Stock Equipment Co.Ltd, will be among 13 trains to run the rail route beginning at Dong Da district's Cat Linh street and ending at Yen Nghia Bus Station in Ha Dong district.

As many as 13 trains with a total value of more than 63 million USD will be purchased if the model's design is completed.

Thanh said many comments were negative. About 36 percent showed their dissatisfaction on the look of the overhead train and 32 percent proposed changing its green colour. However, they did not give any reasons or propose any changes.

For example, many opinions said that the green colour was not beautiful and modern enough, and duplicated the colour of a well-known transport business.

However, none gave any recommendations on a specific colour to change to. Thus, there was no basis to say which colour was the best.

There were comments on the train cover. It was made of stainless steel to increase its longevity. As a result, there was no need to paint the entire train, he said.

In terms of the design of the overhead train prototype, many have raised their opinions to make it shark-like or bullet-like similar to those that travel on high-speed rails.

According to Thanh, the train was designed following the train standard, which was equipped with ladders at emergency exits for passengers to easily escape in emergency cases.

The train is an urban public transport which should carry a large number of passengers and its speed is only 35 kph. Thus, to create maximum space to accommodate passengers was the priority.

Making it more shark-like, the train would have technical issues, blocking the sight of drivers and the emergency exits, he added.

Thanh said the unit will suggest the Ministry of Transport set up a committee to evaluate comments and decide what should be changed.

He also said that the unit would consider switching to the blue colour. Another design such as installing more grips for standing passengers and using female voices for on-board announcements would be considered and changes made if necessary.-VNA