Currently, Da Nang is operating 5 bus routes between Da Nang and Quang Nam Province, and 5 inner-city bus routes with subsidised fares.

Passengers onboard an intra-city bus

However, the city has recently seen a slight decrease in the number of passengers, and in the quality of service.

Mr Dang Nam Son, Director of the Da Nang Traffic Lights and Public Transport Management Centre (DATRAMAC), said there are now 5 bus routes operating from Da Nang to Quang Nam Province’s localities, including Hoi An, Duy Xuyen, Que Son, Dai Loc, and Tam Ky, and vice versa. The service now operates 100 buses under the management of 10 transport service providers.

Recently, the route has seen a significant drop in the number of its passengers.

The main reason is thought to be that the buses pick up or drop off their passengers at unpermitted locations, refuse to transport people with disabilities, carry poultry and extremely bulky goods, exceed the speed limits, and overtake recklessly.

In addition, downgraded buses and the impolite and rude behaviour of the bus crews have left a bad impression on locals and visitors.

In order to deal with the problem, the municipal Department of Transportation has increased their checks to stop bus routes-related violations.

In particular, fines of 60 million VND were imposed on a total of 144 violation cases in 2017 and first half of this year.

In addition, 16 buses operating on the Da Nang-Hoi An route have been installed with surveillance cameras connected with DATRAMAC in order to facilitate the Department for monitoring the service quality.

The other bus service providers are being encouraged to install the cameras as soon as possible.

Also, the Department has developed plans for connecting these bus routes between Da Nang and Quang Nam Province’s localities with intra- city ones in a bid to better serve the increasing travel demand from and to the city centre.

In particular, the Da Nang - Hoi An bus route has connected with the intra-city routes 11, R16 and 6A at the bus stop at the Viet Nam-Korea Friendship Information Technology Junior College.

The Da Nang - Ai Nghia bus route has connected with the intra-city route R17A at the Hoa Vang District Administrative Centre.

As for 5 inner-city bus routes with subsidised fares, there are a total of 61 high quality buses, including 6 standby ones.

All the buses are equipped with TVs, speakers, loudspeakers, window curtains, seat covers, and air-conditioning to bring a clean feel and cool air to passengers, even in the hot weather. The fares and detailed routes are visually displayed on scrolling LED signs of the buses.

Moreover, passengers with extremely bulky goods that could disturb the driver and other bus users are not allowed on the bus. The bus crews show their friendly attitude and behaviour towards passengers.

In attempting to increase the number of customers using this public transport service, greater efforts have been made to publicise these bus routes amongst local residents and civil servants, and encourage them to this service instead of their private vehicles.

Important has been attached to providing monthly bus passes for pupils and students of 32 schools, universities and colleges across the city which the existing intra-city buses run through.

The Department has also launched an app for public bus routes (DanaBus) that can be downloaded from the Apple and Google Play stores. Using the app, visitors and commuters can easily search for the correct bus service and route in the city.

Over 10,000 leaflets about intra-city bus routes have been distributed at such crowded areas as the Administrative Centre, schools and hospitals.

Text messages on these routes have been sent to 30,000 mobile and 61,000 Zalo subscribers.

Notably, more 6 new inner-city bus routes with subsidised fares will be launched in the city this year. The intention is to promote this public transportation service, and to allow the public easier access to these bus services.