Sunday, 13:25 01/01/2017
Hanoi's rapid buses officially put into operation
The capital of Hanoi officially launched the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on the Kim Ma – Yen Nghia route on December 31.
Attending the launching ceremony of the BRT route were Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Duc Chung and Vice Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Nguyen Quoc Hung.
According to schedule, the bus system is available 17 hours per day, from 5 am to 22 pm with a bus departing every 5, 10 and 15 minutes.
The Hanoi BRT project started in 2013 at a cost of 53.6 million USD, financed through World Bank loans.
Police has been seen on the spot to direct traffic along the BRT route, which covers 14.7km from Kim Ma station in Ba Dinh District to Yen Nghia station in Ha Dong District.
With prioritised traffic lights and lanes, the buses run through Giang Vo, Lang Ha, Le Van Luong, Le Trong Tan, Tran Phu and Ba La streets.
After the launching ceremony, Hanoi leaders got on a rapid bus to try out how the prominent solution for traffic in the capital works.
Chairman Nguyen Duc Chung said: "Hanoi resolutely comply the city's initial objectives focused on developing of public passenger transport, especially the BRT".
According to the city's Department of Transport, the bus runs on its own lanes, thus facing congestion on just two or three sections. The entire route takes up between 40 and 42 minutes and the passengers seem very pleased.
The city's authorities expect the BRT will encourage more people to use public transport.
During the first-month operation of the bus system, between January 1 and 31, 2017, passengers can travel on the route free of charge.
Prior to its official launch, the buses had been piloted during rush hours. It was reported that their speed was slower, as there were too many vehicles on the road and many of them drove on lanes designated for rapid buses.
at the ceremony launching the BRT system in Hanoi. Photo by Ngoc Hai.
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The Hanoi BRT project started in 2013 at a cost of 53.6 million USD, financed through World Bank loans.
Police has been seen on the spot to direct traffic along the BRT route, which covers 14.7km from Kim Ma station in Ba Dinh District to Yen Nghia station in Ha Dong District.
With prioritised traffic lights and lanes, the buses run through Giang Vo, Lang Ha, Le Van Luong, Le Trong Tan, Tran Phu and Ba La streets.
After the launching ceremony, Hanoi leaders got on a rapid bus to try out how the prominent solution for traffic in the capital works.
Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Duc Chung got on a rapid bus. Photo by Ngoc Hai.
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The city's authorities expect the BRT will encourage more people to use public transport.
During the first-month operation of the bus system, between January 1 and 31, 2017, passengers can travel on the route free of charge.
Prior to its official launch, the buses had been piloted during rush hours. It was reported that their speed was slower, as there were too many vehicles on the road and many of them drove on lanes designated for rapid buses.
