Bus rapid transit route to connect Hoi An with Da Nang
Da Nang plans to open a 31.8km Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route connecting the Da Nang International Airport and favourite destinations with Hoi An in neighbouring Quang Nam Province.
 |
| Illustrative Image (Source:VNA) |
The Head of the city’s Managing Board of Priority Infrastructure Projects, Mr Luong Thach Vy, has confirmed to Vietnam News that the bus route is included in the World Bank-funded sustainable development project.
Mr Vy said on July 25 that the route will be constructed later this year and put into operation in 2018 with 10 BRT standard buses.
The route will link the city’s downtown area, its shopping centres and tourism sites, with Hoi An in order to ease traffic flow in the city over the 2016-2020 period.
Transport departments of Quang Nam Province and Da Nang will join efforts to set up bus stops and reserve land for terminal development in both Hoi An and Da Nang cities.
It will be the first BRT route in the central region, creating a smoother commuter service for locals and tourists as well as connecting popular attractions in Da Nang with the UNESCO-recognised world heritage Hoi An.
Currently, Da Nang operates 5 bus routes from Da Nang to Quang Nam Province’s cities and districts including Hoi An, Duy Xuyen, Que Son, Dai Loc and Tam Ky.
Da Nang is Viet Nam’s 4th largest city and it is highly appreciated by other cities for its planning, governance and infrastructure system.
In 2013, the World Bank agreed an 272.1 million USD sustainable development project, of which 202.4 million USD will be funnelled into helping improve the city’s BRT network, build new roads and revamp the drainage system.
As scheduled, the city also plans to develop 5 BRT routes and 14 regular bus routes by 2020.
With a population of 900,000, Da Nang has outgrown its current public transit system, which only has 48 buses travelling along 5 routes.
Local people make 2.1 million journeys each day, of which 80% are via motorbike, according to the city’s Transport Department.
The bus routes will operate 16 hours a day, from 5am to 9pm.
(Source: Da Nang Today/VNA)