Passengers at Mỹ Đình Bus Station in Hà Nội.— VNA/VNS Photo Tuấn Anh

HÀ NỘI — The number of passengers using bus services during the peak period of Tết (Lunar New Year) is predicted to increase by about 300-350 per cent compared to normal days in Hà Nội.

The peak period of Tết will take place from January 31, 2024 to February 9, 2024. This is the time when freelance workers and students start their Tết holidays and return to their hometowns.

From February 8, 2024, officials, employees and workers in State agencies and businesses will start their seven-day Tết holidays.

Phạm Mạnh Hùng, director of Hà Nội Transport Station Joint Stock Company, said currently, buses on local stations had been operated at 30-50 per cent of capacity. Thus, the number of vehicles basically still met travel needs of passengers during the peak period.

For some routes from Hà Nội to the provinces of Quảng Ninh, Thanh Hoá, Thái Bình, Sơn La and Lào Cai, congestion may occur, but with the number of vehicles on the routes, and additional vehicles available, it will still be possible to transport all customers within a day.

During the days before Tết, short-distance bus routes will be crowded with passengers.

At Giáp Bát Bus Station, the number of passengers on peak days is expected to be about 18,000 daily, an increase of 300 per cent compared to normal days. The busiest routes will be the routes from Hà Nội to the provinces of Nam Định, Thái Bình, Ninh Bình and Thanh Hoá.

At Gia Lâm Bus Station, the number of passengers on peak days is predicted to be about 5,000 daily, an increase of about 300 per cent compared to normal days. The busiest routes will be from Hà Nội to Hải Phòng City and Quảng Ninh Province.

At Mỹ Đình Bus Station, the number of passengers on peak days is estimated to be over 18,000 daily, an increase of over 350 per cent compared to normal days. The busiest routes will be the routes from Hà Nội to the provinces of Lào Cai, Phú Thọ, Yên Bái, Điện Biên, Sơn La, Lai Châu, Quảng Ninh and Cao Bằng.

After the Tết holidays, the number of passengers will increase sharply on long-distance routes from Hà Nội to HCM City, Đà Nẵng City, and the provinces of Gia Lai and Buôn Mê Thuột, that depart from Giáp Bát Bus Station.

Preparedness

Local bus stations have coordinated with transport units to provide additional vehicles to meet the increased travel demand.

The company said it expected to use around 2,500 additional vehicles for the entire holiday.

To better serve passengers during the peak period of Tết holidays, the company has required local bus stations to check the increase in ticket prices of transport units, preventing the collection of ticket prices higher than the registered fares.

The company will also work with transport businesses to sell electronic tickets and require units selling electronic tickets to ensure all passengers on the bus have tickets before the bus departs, even in case the software system selling electronic tickets encounters problems during peak days.

At the same time, the company has asked the city’s Transport Department and Police Department to manage traffic flow in the area of Giáp Bát Bus Station, especially the construction area of the intersection of Ring Road No. 2.5, to ensure smooth traffic during the peak days.

In a related move, chairman of the People’s Committee of the city Nguyễn Sỹ Thanh ordered the local transport department and relevant units on Wednesday afternoon to strengthen inspection of the declaration of transport fares, train and bus tickets according to regulations and strictly handle any violations.

The department was told to direct transport businesses to proactively prepare forces and vehicles to transport passengers and goods during the Tết holidays.

Traffic police were ordered to enhance inspection and handling of vehicles that park and stop not in accordance with regulations, drive in the wrong lane, or exceed the prescribed number of passengers. — VNS