Hanoi uses technology to promote public transport

Only four months after its launch, the "Hanoi Busmap" app has already won over the population. The app is packed with features that help commuters access and use the capital's public transport system.

The Hanoi Busmap was launched on April 22, 2023.

As part of the "Smart Traffic Project in Hanoi" initiated by the Hanoi Department of Transport, the app has operated since April 22, 2023, in cooperation with the City Public Transport Management Center and Phenikaa MaaS Technology Joint Stock Company.

The main functionalities of "Hanoi Busmap" are designed to simplify the process for city commuters to find their optimal commuting routes by public transport. It also suggests various modes of public transport for efficient travel choices.

In addition, "Hanoi Busmap" introduces the integration of traditional buses and ride-hailing vehicles, helping passengers save travel time between their starting point and the bus stop or from the bus stop to their final destination.

The application even suggests estimated travel costs and provides precise step-by-step instructions on how to travel from origin to destination, giving users a real-time map display of their journey.

Hanoi Busmap's inclusiveness extends to assisting the visually impaired through its screen-reading feature for route identification and bus searches while commuting. In particular, the feature announces bus stops aloud, enabling the visually impaired to determine their current location.

The application also extends assistance to riders in securing bus tickets and signing up for monthly passes. Its capabilities include route searches, real-time tracking and alerts for vehicle arrivals at bus stops, instant vehicle location through license plate recognition, and facilitating the submission of feedback on service quality and the public transit experience.

"The feature I find most useful in this software is the intelligent route search tool. This functionality makes it easy for users to find the appropriate public transport routes within the city. Especially for people from other provinces or those who are unfamiliar with the capital's streets, this application is extremely valuable," said Nguyen Van Nam, a student at the National Economics University.

First step in the digitalization of public transport

Despite its recent launch, "Hanoi Busmap" has quickly captured the hearts of the capital's residents. According to the Hanoi Public Transport Management Center, 278,049 users downloaded the software in its first four months of operation.

Thai Ho Phuong, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Public Transport Management Center, said: "As the entity entrusted with the supervision and operation of the city's public transport system, the center has undertaken various scientific research and technology application initiatives in public transport. We aim to establish public transport as a convenient mode of travel, reduce dependence on private transportation, and thereby alleviate traffic congestion and environmental impact."

Notably, the Hanoi Busmap application, with its user-friendly, intelligent, and accessible features, is just one facet of the broader "Smart Traffic Project" that encompasses Hanoi.

Nguyen Phi Thuong, Director of the Hanoi Department of Transport, noted that the capital's public transport sector is facing significant challenges, particularly in terms of declining ridership.

"Therefore, continuous service quality improvement is a key factor in enticing passengers. To promote the development of buses and public transport, the city remains committed to refining route planning, improving connectivity, and strengthening the incorporation of scientific and technological advances to lure commuters," Thuong said.

The launch of "Hanoi Busmap" has contributed to increasing convenience, simplifying passenger access to services, and providing a channel for feedback and evaluation of service quality. This foundation also serves as a metric for regulators to evaluate public transport service providers.

"The Ministry of Transport is currently executing an intelligent transport project. 'Hanoi Busmap' is the first step in the digital transformation journey, in line with the mission to put the people and passengers at the center of our services," Thuong stressed.