Concrete plan to reduce traffic jam in Hanoi
On June 21, Hanoi’s People Committee has submitted to Hanoi’s People’s Council the draft resolution to approve the “Project on reducing traffic congestion and pollution in Hanoi between 2017-2020, with a view to 2030”. It basically outlines 6 major solutions to control vehicles in Hanoi: quantity management; quality management; vehicle operating scope management; public transportation improvement; IT application in management and improving state management in transportation.
One of the project’s essential contents is testing and reviewing vehicle emission and technical safety so that the municipal government could phase out two wheelers circulation in Hanoi, with a view to completely ban motorbike in Hanoi’s metropolitan area.
Specifically, from now until June 30, 2018, Hanoi will work out technical and environmental regulations and standards for motorbike and disseminate among Hanoi city dwellers. Emission testing and tester training centers will be established. Between July 1, 2018 and Dec 31, 2019, motorbikes with cylinder capacity of at least 175cm3 will be emission tested. Since 2020, there will be gradual recall and remove of old motorbikes failing to meet the technical and emission standards. It is expected that by 2030 motorbike will be banned completely in the inner city.
90% of Hanoians agree with the plan
Along with the project , the Hanoi Police Department has carried out a sociological survey on 15.337 people and households in Hanoi. The survey result shows that 84% said they approve the restriction plan for individual vehicle; especially 85% living inside the 3rd ring road agree with the plan. More than 90% also support the plan to remove old motorbike as well as ban motorbike in the inner city. However, people also require the government to focus on building efficient public transport system to meet the commuting demand, once the private vehicles are removed. In addition, over 70% agree with school and work-hours adjustment, as an effort to ease traffic jam.
