Tourists may soon be seen shuttling around Ho Chi Minh City inelectric buses like they do in Hanoi as part of a pilot project justapproved by the People's Committee.
Electric vehicles areconsidered a more environmental- friendly means of transport, makingless noise, reducing reliance on combustible fuel. They are also energyefficient.
The committee asked the Saigontourist Holding Companyto work with the municipal Department of Transport to work on thespecifics of the project. The operation times, size, colour and safetyspecifications of the vehicles must be submitted to the city authoritybefore November 10.
According to the city's Department of Transport, electric buses and cars could be used in two different ways.
Inthe first plan, they would work like taxis in downtown areas, providing24-hour service near tourism sites, restaurants and major hotels.
Inthe second plan, they would work like buses with fixed routes; passingby famous tourism sites and 12 big hotels. Passengers would board thecars at proposed locations such as Ben Thanh Market, the Opera House,Independence Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, well-known pagodas and 12 bighotels.
The department has requested the Ministry of Transportto issue safety and environmental protection standards to govern theelectric cars. The department added that it would be necessary toconduct an analysis of tourist demands for such services.
If the pilot is successful, the city plans to invest in more of the vehicles.
NguyenManh Duy, a resident of Tan Binh District, remembers riding in anelectric car for the first time during a visit to Hanoi. He said it wasamazing.
"I, and other tourists, were surprised at how smoothlythe car travelled through Hanoi's small and narrow streets. However, HoChi Minh City has a big traffic problem. The city authority must assuretourists that they won't be stuck for hours in a traffic jam," he said.
Currently, the electric cars are servicing tourists in Da Nang and Hanoi's Old Quarter and West Lake.-VNA
Electric vehicles areconsidered a more environmental- friendly means of transport, makingless noise, reducing reliance on combustible fuel. They are also energyefficient.
The committee asked the Saigontourist Holding Companyto work with the municipal Department of Transport to work on thespecifics of the project. The operation times, size, colour and safetyspecifications of the vehicles must be submitted to the city authoritybefore November 10.
According to the city's Department of Transport, electric buses and cars could be used in two different ways.
Inthe first plan, they would work like taxis in downtown areas, providing24-hour service near tourism sites, restaurants and major hotels.
Inthe second plan, they would work like buses with fixed routes; passingby famous tourism sites and 12 big hotels. Passengers would board thecars at proposed locations such as Ben Thanh Market, the Opera House,Independence Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, well-known pagodas and 12 bighotels.
The department has requested the Ministry of Transportto issue safety and environmental protection standards to govern theelectric cars. The department added that it would be necessary toconduct an analysis of tourist demands for such services.
If the pilot is successful, the city plans to invest in more of the vehicles.
NguyenManh Duy, a resident of Tan Binh District, remembers riding in anelectric car for the first time during a visit to Hanoi. He said it wasamazing.
"I, and other tourists, were surprised at how smoothlythe car travelled through Hanoi's small and narrow streets. However, HoChi Minh City has a big traffic problem. The city authority must assuretourists that they won't be stuck for hours in a traffic jam," he said.
Currently, the electric cars are servicing tourists in Da Nang and Hanoi's Old Quarter and West Lake.-VNA
