Over the past three years, Hanoi’s authorities encourage people to use public transport by improving the quality of bus services with a view to protecting the living environment, Kinh te & Do thi reported.

Hanoi’s authorities encourage people to use public transport. Photo: Pham Hung/Kinhtedothi.vn

Hanoi has set the target for the mass transit to meet 25% of people’s travel demand by 2030. The bus fleet has enlarged and many new lines have been launched, especially to Hanoi’s outskirts.

However, the rate of urban residents traveling by buses is much lower than that in the city’s suburban areas.

Environmental pollution, especially air pollution, still remains a headache in Hanoi. The main cause is the increasing number of private vehicles.

According to statistics, vehicles are responsible for over 70% of air pollution. In particular, emissions of most of cars and motorcycles in Vietnam have been controlled.

Therefore, Hanoi’s government encourages local residents to ride bus instead of their private vehicles to contribute to reducing CO2 emissions into the environment and traffic jams.

“I ride bus to work every day. It’s safer than going on a motorbike. Besides, traveling by bus helps minimize environmental damage and improve life quality. Therefore, it is necessary to educate people to think about the overall and long-term benefits when choosing riding bus,” said Dr. Tran Thi Thanh Tu, a lecturer from Vietnam National University, Hanoi.