The Hanoi Department of Transport has proposed an electric tourist bus shuttle service plan. The plan will be launched to provide electric vehicles service at 8 locations in the city, with the aim of formulating regulations covering the business.

The project stated, “Each site will be allowed to operate a certain number of electric vehicles suitable to its infrastructure conditions and scope of activity.”

In the month of June, the city People’s Committee approved the trial operation of electric shuttle buses in the old city for sightseeing. As of the end of 2017, the city had a fleet of 88 vehicles and 5 operators serving more than 5 million passengers.

Electric tourist shuttle buses will be deployed at the locations as listed below:

1. Yen So Park
2. Huong pagoda
3. Ba Vi National Park
4. Bat Trang pottery village
5. Duong Lam ancient village
6. Thac Bac – Suoi Sao tourist area
7. Thien Son – Suoi Nga Entertainment Park
8. Hong Van commune eco-tourism area (Thuong Tin district)

According to the project, almost 68% of the respondents want to take an electric shuttle bus to visit Hanoi. Electric shuttle buses can help alleviate traffic congestion in tourist attractions during peak hours, thereby replacing bicycles and taxis.

In addition, the transportation capacity of electric shuttle buses is higher than that of bicycles in tourist areas and each vehicle can accommodate 7 to 14 passengers. The reasonable price of approximately VND 7,000-8,000 per ride to encourages people and tourists to use this means of transportation.

However, electric shuttle buses operate without relevant regulations. The project pointed out some shortcomings including lack of criteria on area, transit, start and end locations, parking etc.  In addition, other violations, such as exceeding the maximum number of passengers, driving buses in restricted areas or making unauthorized stop, are not punishable.