Hanoi launches first electric bus line
Hanoi launches its first electric bus line on Thursday, which would be integrated with other bus lines at the capital.
One line runs through downtown routes and connects the city’s east and west sides with 15 stops: My Dinh, Nguyen Hoang, Pham Hung, Khuat Duy Tien, Tran Duy Hung, Nguyen Chi Thanh, Huynh Thuc Khang, Thai Ha, Chua Boc, Pham Ngoc Thach, Dai Co Viet, Tran Khat Chan, Vinh Tuy Bridge, Aeon Mall Long Bien, Co Linh and the Ocean Park urban area.
Another line will run starting December 10 with stops at the My Dinh Bus Station, Pham Hung, Khuat Duy Tien, Nguyen Trai, Truong Chinh, Dai La, Minh Khai, Vinh Tuy Bridge, Aeon Mall Long Bien, Co Linh and the Ocean Park urban area.
A third line will commence 10 days after, with stops at Long Bien, Yen Phu, Thanh Nien, Thuy Khue, Dao Tan, Cau Giay, Xuan Thuy, Pham Hung, Thang Long Highway and the Smart City urban area.
There will be 48 electric buses on the lines, stopping every 15-20 minutes between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. Ticket prices range between VND7,000-9,000 (31-40 U.S. cents), and a monthly ticket ranges between VND55,000-200,000. Elderly people, the disabled and children under six, among other groups, would be allowed to travel for free.
Hanoi currently has 140 bus lines with over 208,000 vehicles. The capital aims to let 5-20 percent of its buses to eventually use clean fuel, such as electricity.
Vinbus, which operates the electric bus lines, plans to open six more lines in the future.
By Doan Loan – VnExpress.net – December 2, 2021