Since its first launch, the BRT No.1 route Kim Ma – Yen Nghia station has attracted 2 million passengers.
BRT on Le Van Luong street.
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Thanks to the convenience and quick travel time, which is lower or equivalent to individual transport vehicle, Bus rapid transit (BRT) has become more and more favorable option for passengers. Survey conducted by Hanoi Public Transport Management and Operation Center showed that, up to 23.3% citizens living near BRT routes have changed from using transport individual vehicles or taxi to BRT. In which, the number of passengers using motorbikes contributes the biggest share of 16.3%; while passenger using car has the is 2.8%. Expert said, the BRT route No.1 is showing its encouraging sign and received positive result from citizens.
In reality, in addition to the BRT route No.1, other normal bus routes despite having been adjusted are temporary solutions while citizens are waiting for the improvement of public transport network. If BRT is connected with other efficient public transport system such as urban railway or bus routes, it will no doubt be more efficient. Experts said, BRT currently has to face two main challenges. Firstly, the majority of passengers still have the habit of using individual transport vehicle, while they do not see bus in general and BRT in particular as feasible option for travelling. Secondly, transport infrastructure has not met with demand for operation, lacking efficient connection with other transport models. Chairman of Hanoi Public Transport Association Nguyen Trong Thong said: “the restriction of individual transport vehicle has significant meanings to the success of bus routes. Despite the presence of efficient high capacity public transport services, but if passenger still keep the habit of using individual transport vehicle, it is difficult to realize the potential of public transport system”.
Vice Chairman of National Traffic Safety Committee Khuat Viet Hung said, the implementation of BRT showed the determination and effort of Hanoi’s government. BRT is one of the 3 components in the Hanoi Urban transport investment project, which was approved in 2007 and financed by the Official Development Assistance (ODA) of the World Bank. In reality, in 2013, the BRT route No.01 Yen Nghia – Kim Ma had been constructed, but due to delays and difficulties in construction, only until December 31, 2016 this BRT route had gone into operation. The component of BRT was approved with total investment of 53.6 million USD, which at the end of the project the disbursement amount was 35 million USD.
