Improving Public Transport System, Realizing Visions

As part of the joint work plan, over the last year, the World Bank team, in close collaboration with relevant departments of Hanoi, has been conducting a series of analyses that will lay the foundation for future improvements to Hanoi’s public transport system. This timely exercise is critical for Hanoi to plan and realize its vision for becoming a competitive and livable city.

Just over two years ago, Hanoi unveiled the country’s first BRT line, the culmination of many years of hard work and collaboration between the World Bank and Hanoi City. This project was an important first step in realizing Hanoi’s urban transport vision, which includes increasing the public transport mode share to between 35 and 45% by 2035 - a very ambitious goal for a city where motorbikes account for 65% of all trips. To date, the BRT has demonstrated the viability of an alternate mode of travel for Hanoians that is safe, clean, efficient, and comfortable. The BRT represents a model for future mass transit investments in Hanoi, having steadily increased its ridership over the last two years. In 2018 the BRT carried 5.3 million passengers, an increase of 6.3% from the previous year. Yet, the BRT alone cannot achieve Hanoi’s lofty urban transport vision nor solve the growing urban transport challenges facing the city today.

Hanoi’s rapid development has introduced a series of challenges from noise and air pollution to safety and walkability issues. To tackle these growing issues, the city requires an integrated, expansive, and reliable public transport network. The foundation of any successful public transport network, however, is an efficient conventional bus network. To that end, one aspect of the studies you will hear about today analyzed the existing bus network and has developed a series of improvements to better serve the residents of Hanoi.

The next step in the development of a sustainable urban transport network is an expanded rapid transit system. Hanoi will be unveiling its first metro line this year when Line 2A opens to the public. This new service, combined with the success of the BRT and other modifications to the existing bus network, will continue to shift the way Hanoians move around their city. Furthermore, multiple new urban rail lines are planned. This provides a tremendous opportunity to transform the way the city moves, while improving air quality, safety and mobility for children and the elderly. Another component of the studies you will hear about today provides an analytical basis for deciding where to invest in mass transit next.