Decision No. 3446/QD-BGTVT dated November 04, 2016, on approval for plan for renovation of publis passenger transport bus services by 2020

DECISION

ON APPROVAL FOR PLAN FOR RENOVATION OF PUBLIS PASSENGER TRANSPORT BUS SERVICES BY 2020

THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT

Pursuant to the Law on Road traffic dated November 13, 2008;

Pursuant to the Government's Decree No. 107/2012/ND-CP dated December 20, 2012, defining the functions, rights, obligations and organizational structure of the Ministry of Transport;

Pursuant to the Decision No.355/QD-TTg dated February 25, 2013 by the Prime Minister on approval for adjustments to transport strategy by 2020 and visions towards 2030;

Pursuant to the Decision No.318/QD-TTg dated March 04, 2014 by the Prime Minister on approval for transport service development strategy by 2020 and visions towards 2030;

Pursuant to the Decision No.280/QD-TTg dated March 08, 2012 by the Prime Minister on approval for plan for public passenger transport by bus for the period of 2012 - 2020

Pursuant to the Decision No.13/2015/QD-TTg dated May 05, 2015 by the Prime Minister on mechanism for assistance policies on public passenger transport by bus;

Upon request by the Directors of Department of Transport,

HEREBY DECIDES

Article 1. To approve the plan for renovation of public passenger transport by bus (hereinafter referred to as “bus service”) by 2020 which specifies:

I. STANDPOINTS

1. Enhance the quality of bus services to meet the passengers’ demands on safety, convenience and time-efficiency.

2. Establish the connection between bus services with by other means of transport and leading carriers. Restructure public passenger transport networks, broaden bus routes, cut the repeated routes down and define specific functions for specific bus routes.

3. Set up bus routes to substitute for other fixed passenger transport routes (provincial and inter-provincial routes).

4. Develop local bus routes in accordance with regulations of traffic to reduce traffic congestion and improve environmental protection.

II. OBJECTIVES

1. Operate and plan to operate bus routes in all provinces and direct-controlled municipalities (hereinafter referred to as “province”) for transport of passengers.

2. Increase the transport capacity of buses to meet the needs of passengers. To be specific: Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh: 10% ÷ 15%; Hai Phong, Danang and Can Tho: 5% ÷ 10%; and other provinces: 1% ÷ 5%.

3. Step up application of technologies into management, operation and coordination of bus service.

III. SOLUTIONS FOR ENHANCING BUS SERVICE UP TO 2020

1. Enhancement of accessibility of bus services

a) Adjust and expand bus networks in provinces. Give priority to invest in specialized bus routes serving particular purposes (bus routes connecting to airports, terminal stations, etc.) Ensure that bus networks are accessible to at least 70% of number of residents in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh and 40% of the number of residents in Hai Phong, Danang and Can Tho, and not located farther 500 m away from residential areas.

b) Complete bus networks in provinces; synchronize various bus routes such as minibus routes, bus routes along radial roads and ring roads for transport of students.

c) Operate several pilot bus routes crossing urban complexes of provinces neighboring on Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh for the purpose of replacement of fixed transport routes (provincial and inter-provincial routes).

d)Establish bus routes connecting province/city centers to all class- II airports, train and bus stations or higher.

dd) Establish intermediate bus stops in large cities connecting ring roads with radial roads, urban rails and bus networks.

e) Diversify means of transports according to characteristics of bus routes and infrastructures of provinces (bus rapid transit (BRT), trolleybuses, minibuses, etc.).

g) Facilitate the access to bus services of passengers including persons with disabilities by installing priority signals, traffic sign, footbridges, and parking lots at bus stops, lounges, intermediate bus stops and terminals.

2. Publishing of information about bus services

a) Set up websites providing schedule and information of bus services in all provinces where bus networks have.

b) Increase the number of billboards and electrical systems providing related information on buses, terminals, bus stops and lounges.

c) Develop relevant software compatible with by various devices (laptops, smart phones, tablets, etc.).

d) Encourage carriers to develop their own corporate identity (bus color, logo, uniform, etc.).

3. Assistance in bus services

a) Ensure that 100% provinces provide bus fare subsidies to prioritized entities under regulations of laws.

b) Introduce policies on assistance in bus services (subsidies, preferential interest rates, investment in bus infrastructures, etc.) according to provincial budgets.

c) Prioritize to assistance in investment in smart ticketing systems.

4. Improvement of convenience of bus services

a) Gradually replace old means of transport towards lowering the average age of buses, prioritize those running on green fuel and provide sufficient aids for the disabled.

b) Prioritize bus service and BRT and reduce repeated bus routes.

c) Arrange bus schedules according to bus routes and passengers’ demand in specific areas and ensure that the bus schedule is strictly applied.

d) Apply smart ticketing systems; diversify ticketing methods (direct, electric and mobile ticketing, etc.) and types of tickets according passengers’ demand.

dd) Increase the number of buses having wireless systems and sound notification systems.

e) Increase the number of lounges at bus stops.

5. Traffic safety and security

a) Equip cameras at 100% intermediate bus stops and means of transport

b) Provide training courses in relation to response to incidents such as technical incidents, anti-terrorism and accidents for all drivers, staff and managerial officers.

c) Increase the number of bus stops that are separated from traffic lanes.

6. Personnel training and development

a) Improve personnel’s qualifications specialized in management, operation and coordination of bus services; compile training programs; enhance managerial officers and operators’ qualifications.

b) Provide training courses and organize seminars for experience exchange and improvement of knowledge and qualifications of staff.

c) Regularly provide training courses in customer services, bus maintenance and fuel efficiency for drivers, ticket sellers and those who directly contact with passengers.

7. Concentration on management activities

a) Develop technical standards and regulations on bus infrastructures and quality of bus service.

b) Establish organizations specialized in managing and operating bus service in large cities.

c) Monitor and manage the quality of bus services through modern surveillance devices (cameras, monitoring devices) and take delivery of passengers’ feedbacks for inspection, detection and settlement of violations.

d) Supervise and inspect the quality of bus transport services in respect of routes, schedule, fares, customer services, etc.

dd) Construct urban complexes and shopping malls in combination with bus infrastructures.

IV.IMPLEMENTATION

1. Responsibilities of affiliates of the Ministry of Transport

a) Every Department of Transport shall:

- Take charge of and cooperate with Department of Legal Affairs, relevant agencies and regulatory authorities to make amendment and supplement to Circular and Decree concerning bus services

- Take charge of and cooperate with the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam to direct Department of Transport in implementation of regulations and assistance policies on operation and development of bus services.

- Inspect and expedite executing authorities to implement this Decision and submit annual report

b) Every Department of Science and Technology shall take charge of compilation and completion of technical standards and regulations on operation of bus services.

c) Every Department of Planning and Investment shall take charge of giving advices about mobilization of domestic and overseas sources of finance to fund for local bus networks to the Ministry of Transport.

d) The Directorate for Roads of Vietnam shall:

- Intensify inspection of compliance with regulations on bus services.

- Review and arrange bus stops along national highways according to the plan requirement.

- Cooperate with the Department of Science and Technology to compile technical standards and regulations on bus services.

dd) The Transport Development and Strategy Institute shall cooperate with the Departments of Science and Technology to compile technical standards and regulations on bus services.

2. Every Department of Transport of provinces shall

a) Submit the planning for development of public transport bus networks to the People’s Committee of the province for approval under the Decision No.280/QD-TTg on approval for development of public transport bus services for the period 2012 - 2020 dated March 08, 2012 by the Prime Minister

b) Focus on management of bus services, compile plans and measures for enhancement of quality of bus services in accordance with this Decision, and submit reports to the People's Committee of the province and Ministry of Transport.

c) Draw up plans for application of particular means for operation of bus transport services, submit such plans to the People's Committee of the province and Ministry of Transport .The People's Committee of the province and Ministry of Transport shall transfer such plans to the Prime Minister to review for approval.

d) Punctually submit proposals for incentive policies for bus passengers and bus carriers within the province to the People’s Committee of the province for approval.

dd) Give advices and proposals in relation to approval for investment in construction of urban complexes, shopping malls in combination with bus infrastructures.

3. Reporting regime

a) Every Department of Transport shall submit reports on plan implementation to the Ministry of Transport and People’s Committee of the province by January 01, 2017.

b) Every affiliate of the Ministry and Department of Transport shall annually submit a progress report to the Ministry of Transport and People’s Committee of the province on December of every year.

Article 2.This Decision enters into force from the date on which it is signed.

Article 3. The Chief of the Ministry Office, Ministerial Chief Inspectors, Directors, Director General of the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam, Heads of affiliates of the Ministry of Transport, Directors of the Departments of Transport of provinces and relevant entities shall be responsible for implementation of this Decision./.