A pilot project to operate electrically powered buses around Hoan Kiem Lake and in Hanoi's Old Quarter for tourists will be put into action beginning in July 2010.

Electric buses will begin operating around Hoan Kiem Lake and in the Old Quarter beginning July.

Do Xuan Thuy, General Director of Dong Xuan Joint Stock Company and investor of Clean Urban Transportation (CUT) in Hanoi's Old Quarter, confirmed with DTiNews that the project has been approved by the Prime Minister and the Hanoi People's Committee.

The plan will utilise 12 electric buses which will be put into operation next month. The 7 kilometre-long tourist route circulating the Old Quarter will pass through 28 business streets, 13 trade streets, 22 communal houses, 9 temples, 3 pagodas, 8 historical relic sites and sightseeing spots around Hoan Kiem Lake and Dong Xuan Market. The double road area on Dinh Tien Hoang Street will be the location where the electric buses depart and terminate their route.

"Each electric bus can carry up to 8 passengers with a fare set at VND 15,000 (USD 80 cents) per person. No bulky luggage will be allowed on board. The operation hours during the day will be from 8.30 am - 4.30 pm and from 7 pm - 11 pm in the evening. The cars will stop at each station for 20 seconds," Thuy said.

The project was intended to be launched during the first quarter of 2010, but due to licensing and technical safety problems, it had not been approved by the Department of Transport or by Hanoi's Police Agency, thus it was delayed.

Dong Xuan Joint Stock Company is currently finalising the necessary procedures required by the government in order to begin its first electric bus operation in 10 days.

According to Thuy, the project is implemented on a pilot basis, so there might be some challenges during the initial periods. However, they will adjust accordingly to make things run more efficiently and solve any problems that might arise during its operation.

Travelling around Hoan Kiem Lake and in the Old Quarter by electric buses is, "A new way to promote beautiful images of Hanoi, further develop the city's tourism industry and to celebrate the upcoming 1000th anniversary of Thang Long (Hanoi)."