Currently, there are only six subsidised intra-city bus routes operating in Da Nang. They are the route R14A: 29-3 Park to the High - Tech Park, R4A: Song Han Port - Hoa Tien Commune, R15: Da Nang Coach Station - Tho Quang, R17A: Song Han Port - Hoa Vang District Administrative Centre, R6A Da Nang Coach Station - Marble Mountains Tourist Area, and R16 Kim Lien - Viet Nam-Korea Information Technology and Communications University.

The operation of these subsidised intra-city bus routes is currently facing many difficulties because revenues cannot cover expenditure

The operation of these subsidised intra-city bus routes is currently facing many difficulties because there has been a significant decrease in passenger numbers during COVID-19 and revenues cannot cover expenditure.

Currently, the number of subsidised intra-city bus routes in the city has reduced by 5 because these reduced bus routes have their contracts expired, so the city is planning to invite bids to select eligible contractors for the re-operation of the routes. It is expected that the reduced bus routes will resume their operations in September 2022.

According to statistics released by the Da Nang Traffic Lights and Public Transport Management Centre (DATRAMAC) which is assigned to manage 11 subsidised bus routes with a total length of 222km with nearly 1,000 stops and 202 bus stations, over the past 5 years, the subsidised bus system has transported more than 13 million passengers in the inner city.

Mr. Ho Nguyen Quoc Cuong, Deputy Director in charge of DATRAMAC, said that although the subsidised public transport system in the city has operated for 5 years and has had many positive changes, the operation of subsidised bus services have been still facing many difficulties.

He said the main reason appeared to be that most of people do not have the habit of using public transport, and public transport services have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition, he pointed out some problems during the operation of subsidised bus services in the city. For example, bus routes and schedules are still limited, whilst information about subsidised bus services has yet to be disseminated.

DATRAMAC's report shows that, in 2021, there was an average of 8.9 passengers/trip, down from the same period last year. Meanwhile, the number of passengers dropped to only 1-2/ trip in the first four months of 2022. The revenues were much lower than the forecast.

57-year-old Nguyen Thi Nguyet, residing in My An Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, remarked subsidised intra-city buses were equipped with window curtains, seat covers, and air-conditioning to bring a clean feel and cool air to passengers.

She, however, said that there were too few stops between the two routes, so that people cannot get on/ get off wherever they want to move to another location.

Ho Ngoc Hau, a student from the University of Economics - University of Da Nang, commented that passengers have to wait for a long time and walk quite a distance to reach a bus stop. Also, bus routes also frequently change schedules when they encounter the renovation, upgrading or renewal of bridges, roads and traffic infrastructure, making it difficult for people to travel by bus.

In fact, buses have reduced frequency or stopped operating, but transport enterprises still have to maintain salary regimes, social insurance, pay road maintenance fees, maintenance and repair as prescribed. In addition to the costs incurring for pandemic prevention and control activities make transport enterprises face many difficulties.

In an effort to help bus service providers overcome their current difficulties, the municipal Department of Transport has directed relevant units to implement specific solutions.

Specifically, DATRAMAC has made suggestions to the municipal People's Committee about supplementing "drivers and assistant drivers working on 12 subsidised bus routes" into a list of beneficiaries of a number of policies on supporting employees and employers facing difficulties due to the COVID-19.

The focus has been paid on adjusting bus schedules to satisfy the increasing or decreasing number of bus stops, as well as organising bus routes connecting schools, hospitals, industrial parks, residential areas, administrative areas and new urban areas to the city's common bus network.

Mr. Tran Thanh Tam, Chairman of the Da Nang Taxi Association underlined the need for the city to allocate the city’s budget for building more bus stops, transfer points and sidewalks, and applying technology in ticket and revenue management in order to support subsidised bus service providers.

Deputy Director in charge of the municipal Department of Transport Bui Hong Trung said that in the coming time, the transport sector will invite bids to select eligible contractors for the resumption of the 5 expired bus routes during the 2022-2027 period. Heed will be paid to improving the operation efficiency of subsidised buses and increasing passenger numbers by more than 5%.

Reporting by THANH LAN - Translating by M.DUNG