Franz Drees-Gross, Director of the WB’s Transport and ICT Global Practice, commented: "BRT buses in Hanoi need to be given more priority to take full advantage."
BRT bus on Lang Ha Street. Photo: Cong Hung
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During his working session with the municipal People’s Committee in Hanoi on October 2, Franz Drees-Gross, Director of the WB’s Transport and ICT Global Practice, highlighted the popularity of BRT in the world, saying that it has resulted in long-term benefits in transport and urban planning.
He expressed his belief that the BRT model will soon prove effective in Hanoi. The World Bank will continue serving as a bridge connecting Hanoi with other cities in the Southeast Asian nations, he pledged.
The Director of the WB’s Transport and ICT Global Practice said that the World Bank (WB) will continue sharing its experience and providing more financial assistance for Hanoi to launch more Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes.
For his part, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Quoc Hung said the city will continue gathering comments from international experts and the community to enhance the operation and management of the BRT network to better serve residents.
He also expressed his hope that the WB will continue providing active support for the city’s transport projects, contributing to the development of the Capital city. The first BRT route, funded by the World Bank, was launched in Hanoi in late December last year, making Vietnam the eighth country in Southeast Asia to implement BRT. The system has helped ease traffic congestion in Hanoi.
Representatives of the WB also said that the deployment of the first BRT in any country and city often encounters many difficulties. Currently, there are 20 cities operating BRT buses in the world, and there are normally between 5 and 7 BRT routes in each city, very closely connected with urban railways and other types. However, in Hanoi, the BRT NO.01 route remains single, thus limiting its efficiency. Mr. Franz Drees-Gross also said that the WB will continue to collaborate with Hanoi in the management and operation of the BRT No.01 bus service, at the mean time supporting Hanoi to implement other BRT routes, including urban railway.
