Thursday July 19th 2007 - Hanoi

In Hanoi, I had a short visit to the office of Hanoi Transportation and Urban Public Works Service. I met with Mr. Le Huy Hoang, Civil Engineer & Manager in Planning & Investment Department. Throughout the discussion Ms. Pham Thi Thanh Huong, Expert in Planning & Investment Department, acted as the translator.

One thing that you would realize quickly when you are in Hanoi is there are so many motorcycles. There are 1.6 million motorcycles with 3.5 million populations. More than 90% daily commuters use motorcycles and bicycles. The main mode of public transportation is bus. Currently, there are 58 routes served by 921 buses. In 2006, the bus system carried 314 million passengers. By 2010, Hanoi plans to increase the bus routes to 70.

There are a number of planned infrastructure projects to improve transportation system in Hanoi. By 2010, there will be an additional 27 km (17 miles) road network. The World Bank is sponsoring a development of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). By 2012, they will start constructing a subway system from Hanoi, north to Nhon, a total of 15 km (9 miles). By 2020, Hanoi authority has a target to reduce the percentage of motorcycle trips to 30%.