Hanoi authorities will issue 200,000 monthly cards for bus passengers free of charge as part of a pilot programme to implement new e-ticket system in October.

 Hanoi bus

On September 16, the local Department of Transport and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) cooperated to implement the pilot programme for bus route No. 06. This is a part of the Project for Improving Public Transportation in Hanoi (Trahud 2). The e-ticket system is expected to improve public transport services, and includes both the bus system and the metro in the future.

Kubo Yoshitomo, a representative of JICA in Vietnam, said about 70% of passengers chose monthly passes. The old system takes up a lot of time and provides the possibility of forged tickets. He said that the e-ticket system will be much more efficient.

All relevant agencies are making efforts to speed up the training of employees and the installation of equipment necessary for the pilot programme, which will start on October 6.

Vu Van Vien, director of Hanoi Department of Transport, said Trahud 2 will be carried out in two phases. The Japanese experts helped in designing the plans to modernise the public transport. "The second phase is to pilot the e-ticking system. This project's success will greatly improve our bus system," he said.

Vien has asked Hanoi Public Transport Management and Operation Center to work with JICA and Hanoi Transport Corporation to deal with any potential problems.