In 2018, Hanoi’s bus rapid transit (BRT) only reached half its potential capacity despite serving 5.3 million passengers.
The capital’s VND1 trillion (US$44.64 million) BRT route was launched in December 2016, with the aim of reducing traffic congestion and improving public transportation. Now, the initiative is facing huge losses, Dan Tri reports.
Thirty-five buses — all capable of carrying up to 90 passengers — operate on the route in total. Yet despite promising to make transport around the city easier, they have failed to attracted customers.
Attempts to make the route more appealing, such as offering E-cards on BRT lines to reduce fares, have also proved unsuccessful.
Former editor-in-chief of Transport Publishing House, Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thuy, told Dan Tri of his skepticism for the project.
“Initially, I disagreed with the project and over two years it's proved its inefficiency and wasteful level of investment. BRT stops are quite large, but few passengers use them.”
He went on to question the feasibility of BRT routes as 50 to 60% of Hanoi’s roads are too narrow.
Hanoi has been trying to find ways of dealing with its increasing traffic woes for a number of years now, and in early 2017 even went as far as offering US$200,000 to anyone who could suggest a viable plan.
