A new bus put into use in Vĩnh Phúc since the middle of this year. —Photo baoxaydung.com.vn

VĨNH PHÚC — The northern province of Vĩnh Phúc has replaced old downgraded buses with new ones in an attempt to provide better services to commuters.

A total of 65 buses are operating on eight routes in the province with 446 trips per day.

In July 2019, 49 old buses were replaced.

The new buses, which are manufactured by Saigon Transportation Mechanical Corporation, use Japanese technology, save fuel and meet emissions standards.

They are eco-friendly and convenient for passengers.

Nguyễn Văn Thắng, director of Vĩnh Phúc Automobile Transportation Joint Stock Company, said the company is the first unit in the province to run a bus service.

In 2008, five bus routes with 55 buses and nearly 300 trips per day were launched, running from Vĩnh Yên to Sông Lô, Lập Thạch, Vĩnh Tường, Yên Lạc, Tam Dương districts, Quang Minh Industrial Park and Hà Nội.

In June this year, a bus route from Vĩnh Yên to Quang Sơn was opened.

More than VNĐ50 billion (US$2.1 million) was invested by the company in buying 28 new eco-friendly buses with surveillance cameras.

The new bus system has encouraged more local people to travel by public transport.

The number of passengers has increased from 7 million per month before June to around 10 million on six bus routes of the company now.

The province currently has 297 bus stops including 85 modern stops equipped with bulletin boards which provide information about bus schedules.

The bus fare ranges between VNĐ7,000 ($0.3) and VNĐ10,000 ($0.4) per trip and VNĐ120,000 ($5.2) and VNĐ150,000 ($6.5) per month.

The provincial Department of Transport has cracked down on a series of transport violations committed by bus drivers and conductors.

Transportation companies this year have offered training on communication skills and transport regulations for hundreds of drivers and bus assistants.

The transport department looks towards improving bus service quality and will study opening more new bus routes. — VNS