The rapid increase of personal vehicles in Vietnam is concerning urban transport management authorities, especially as public transportation has yet to meet the demand of commuters.
According to Nguyen Trong Thong, President of the Hanoi Public Transportation Association, a surge in personal vehicles in the past 10 years and ageing infrastructure have worsened traffic congestion, especially in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
In the 2002-2012 period, Hanoi saw annual average rises of 17.2 percent in the number of cars and 11 percent in the number of motorbikes. Meanwhile, the figures in Ho Chi Minh City were 14.8 percent and 9.8 percent respectively.
Thong proposed investments be made in the development of mass transit systems, including bus rapid transit (BRT), metro lines and elevated urban railways.
He also suggested the State has the financial clout to participate in the building of these systems in order to lessen the burden on the State budget in the long-term.
It is hoped that once operational, new public transportation will attract more passengers and reduce the use of personal vehicles.
The Ministry of Transport has implemented measures to develop public transit, including investing in upgrading the bus system and establishing centres to manage and operate public means of transport.-VNA
According to Nguyen Trong Thong, President of the Hanoi Public Transportation Association, a surge in personal vehicles in the past 10 years and ageing infrastructure have worsened traffic congestion, especially in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
In the 2002-2012 period, Hanoi saw annual average rises of 17.2 percent in the number of cars and 11 percent in the number of motorbikes. Meanwhile, the figures in Ho Chi Minh City were 14.8 percent and 9.8 percent respectively.
Thong proposed investments be made in the development of mass transit systems, including bus rapid transit (BRT), metro lines and elevated urban railways.
He also suggested the State has the financial clout to participate in the building of these systems in order to lessen the burden on the State budget in the long-term.
It is hoped that once operational, new public transportation will attract more passengers and reduce the use of personal vehicles.
The Ministry of Transport has implemented measures to develop public transit, including investing in upgrading the bus system and establishing centres to manage and operate public means of transport.-VNA
