Addressing at the opening of the seminar, Director of HCMC Department of Transport Bui Xuan Cuong said the main target of the project is to develop a transport network, a green space and public facilities, reducing traffic pressure and traveling cost for local peoples; create a firm basis for socio-economic development in HCMC.

The content of the project includes: constructing technical infrastructure to operate BRT, building bus stops and stations, pedestrian bridges and public spaces like green tree, park and landscapes on Vo Van Kiet-Mai Chi Tho Street.

The project of HCMC green transport development” is one of key projects on public transport of HCMC with a total investment capital of US$ 137, 5 million, of which US$ 124 came of ODA of World Bank and US$ 13, 5 million came from counterpart capital of HCMC.

Mr. Paul Vallely, Transport Sector Coordinator at the World Bank in Vietnam, said that World Bank has approved a fund of US$ 124 million for improving capacity and efficiency of public transport system at some important traffic arteries of HCMC. This fund aims to build a BRT artery alongside Vo Van Kiet and Mai Chi Tho Streets with a length of 23 km and 28 bus stops. Once completed, the project will transport about 28,300 passengers/day. 

Besides, 28 buses will be sponsored and operated by compressed natural gas – a kind of clean energy to reduce emission gas and environmental pollution.

With an important role in  the national economy, the project will see many benefits of BRT, it is useful for HCMC’s authority to prepare for another transport network in the future including 6 bus routes, help HCMC work out necessary mechanisms to develop and manage synchronous public transport system in the future, said Paul Vallely.

HCM CITYWEB