Hanoi's Department of Transport has restored the ban on taxis and cars of less than nine seats on ten streets for ride hailing service from September 15 in order to prevent traffic congestion, VnExpress reported.

Signboards prohibit cars for ride hailing service on the streets of Hanoi. Photo: Anh Tu

Accordingly, the ban will be effective on arterial streets of Giang Vo, Lang Ha, Le Van Luong, Kham Thien, Hang Bai, Hai Ba Trung, Phu Doan (Hang Bong - Trang Thi direction), Tran Hung Dao (the section from Tran Khanh Du to Tran Thanh Tong) from 6:00am to 7:00pm.

Taxis and ride-hailing cars are also prohibited from circulating on Nguyen Van Cu street from Hong Tien - Nguyen Van Cu intersection to Chuong Duong bridge and on Chuong Duong bridge (Long Bien district to Hoan Kiem district) at rush hours (from 6am to 9am).

Cars for ride hailing services are those operated on an agreement, in the written form or via a smartphone app, between a licensed passenger transit business and a car owner.

The vehicle ban had been applied on the streets within certain time frames. During the social distancing period, the ban was lifted on the 10 streets when most people, especially students and office workers, were at home.

However, as social distancing measures were lifted, road traffic has increased. The ban was resumed in September when students returned to school in order to curb traffic congestion.