The Ministry of Transport will seek public opinion on restricting private means of transport in inner Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
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| Transport Minister Dinh La Thang |
The statement made by Transport Minister Dinh La Thang at a press conference on October 5.
What are your views on the plan to reduce private vehicles on inner-city streets in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City?
Traffic jams are a pressing social issue. We’re currently implementing the Government’s resolutions 16 and 88, focusing on the restriction of private means of transport in inner-city areas of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and on improving public transport.
The Government has officially assigned the Ministry of Transport to draft the plan which is considered a major solution in easing traffic congestion. We are working on the project to submit to the Government.
What is the roadmap for the project?
We’re currently drafting the proposals and of course have set a roadmap.
The Ministry of Transport plans to finish the project in the fourth quarter of this year to send it to the Government in the first quarter of 2012. We will also collect opinions from experts and the public. Once the draft is completed, we will announce a specific roadmap.
Do you think that the project will help to reduce the traffic problems?
I believe the project will prove successful if it receives the strong support from different agencies and the public.
Have you ever checked some of the bus routes in Hanoi, if so, what do you think of the current state of public transport?
I recently took a No. 30 bus on Kham Thien and a No. 32 to Phan Boi Chau streets. The bus had air conditioning, and the driver and assistants were friendly.
The Ministry of Transport has launched a programme to encourage its staff to go to work by bus at least once a week. However, I myself have to go to meetings every day, so unfortunately I can’t take the bus.
You said that the bus had air conditioning and the staff were friendly. Don’t you think it was because they recognised you as the transport minister?
Definitely not. They didn’t know who I was. That day I dressed in a normal way, and talked to the driver.
Have you heard about buses deciding not to stop as they’re too full?
I admitted this is a fact, particularly at rush hours with a large number of passengers. The ministry will work with Hanoi Transport Corporation to increase bus services at peak hours.
I took the bus at 6.30am, so it was very comfortable and saw few jams. In the coming period, I will arrange time to inspect the operation of public transport with reporters find out more about traffic congestion.
People are encouraged to take the bus, but do you think that buses can meet demand?
In general, bus transportation can meet part of the demand, and there are still weaknesses such as missing stops, exceeding the speed limit and technical problems. The Transport Ministry will work with concerned agencies and bus firms to improve the vehicle quality.
So you’re saying we should now limit our use of private vehicles and instead take the bus from now on?
We can’t wait for modern means of transport and then restrict private means of transport, but have to carry these out at the same time.
A conference on raising the quality of public transport, especially buses, will be held in the near future. At the event, managers and drivers will discuss ways to raise the quality of bus services to satisfy passenger demands.
Buses are supposed to replace private vehicle use
