The Hanoi People's Committee has requested the Ministry of Transport to consider opening another four more bus lines from the city’s downtown to Noi Bai International Airport.

The four new bus lines are those departing from Ocean Park Urban Area, Nuoc Ngam Bus Station, Splendora Urban Area and Thanh Ha Urban Area to Noi Bai Airport.

The bus line number 86 from Hanoi station to Noi Bai airport. Photo: kinhtedothi

This move aims at expanding the mass transit system of Hanoi, ensuring traffic safety and curbing personal vehicles on roads, the People's Committee of Hanoi said.

According to current regulations, the opening of a bus line with the starting or ending point in Noi Bai international airport must be agreed by the People's Committee of Hanoi and the Ministry of Transport.

Hanoi currently has a number of bus lines connecting downtown with Noi Bai airport such as line 86 (Hanoi station - Noi Bai airport), 68 (Ha Dong - Noi Bai airport), 90 (Kim Ma - Noi Bai airport), 17 (Long Bien-Noi Bai airport), 109 (My Dinh-Noi Bai airport).

In the first-quarter financial report, the Hanoi Transport Corporation (Transerco) said its revenue reached about 52% of the set plan, marking a decrease of VND68 billion (US$2.94 million).

Covid-19 pandemic has been blamed for the decrease in bus ridership as it has led to school closure and social distancing. Other reasons are the policy of free travel pass for the elderly and the competition of technology drivers such as Grab, Be, according to Transerco.

The non-subsidized airport bus lines and Citytour buses continue to see a sharp drop in revenue compared with the plan, the trip volume has been cut by 35-50%, the passenger volume has decreased by 60-70% compared to pre-Covid level due to the ban of foreign entry.