SGTT.VN -It is expected in the end of 2011, after completed the upgrade space clearance of Thanh Da Bridge, route 1 (from Ling Dong, Dist. Thu Duc to Dist. 1) of river buses will be put into operation

Early of August 2010, Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee agreed to implement two projects to exploit public passenger transport by waterway (river bus) proposed by Daily Co., Ltd. Reporters of Saigon Marketing talked with Mr. Nguyen Toan Kim, director of Daily Company, project owners, the types of new public transport in HCMC.

Lộ trình một tuyến buýt đường sông. Ảnh: Đào Lê

Sir, the difficulty of implementing river bus is low space clearance of the bridges that transport routes across. How will your unit fix this problem?

In the first stage, we will invest in building and exploiting the two routes. One route that goes from Linh Dong, Thu Duc to District 1. This route will have the stations at Binh Quoi, Hiep Binh Chanh (Thu Duc) Thanh Da, Newport (Binh Thanh), Tam Vu, Thao Dien, Binh An (District 2), Nguyen Huu Canh (Binh Thanh) and Bach Dang (District 1). The other route that goes from Tau Hu channel - Ben Nghe through districts 8, 6, 5, 4 to return Bach Dang (District 1).

Accordingly, the first route from Linh Dong, Thu Duc to Bach Dang Wharf, District 1 must go through three bridges, including the Thu Thiem Bridge and the Saigon Bridge that its space clearance is unsatisfactory. For Thanh Da Bridge has been preparing to upgrade the space clearance by another project of city. It is expected in late 2011, as soon as completing the upgrade space clearance of Thanh Da Bridge, we will put the first route of river bus into operation. In the second route along Ben Nghe canal – Tau Hu along Vo Van Kiet Boulevard, all the bridges are satisfactory to space clearance. However, we are waiting for dredge the stream of Ben Nghe – Tau Hu, so it may be the end of 2012, this route may be put into operation.

With these two routes, how many passengers can we service in one day, sir?

From north to south and from east to west with 16 stations pick passenger up for the two routes. To do a good operation of passenger transportation during rush hour/ low hour, we will organize a variety of different ships of a capacity. At first, we will use 40, 60 and 80 seats boat for both routes. During rush hours, every 15 minutes, there will have a bus boat departure and departure times can stretch out in the low hours. At embarkation or disembarkation ports of passengers, we will arrange the parking place for people’s vehicles, boats waiting place and beverage business ...

In your opinion, how much time will river buses shorten compared to road buses in the same route?

In the first stage, to attract tourists, we must choose the destination connected by the river route is not too long in the same of road, and the travelling time of river bus has to be shorter than road bus. We do believe that this model will be supported by people if safe operation, environmental protection and convenience for passengers. On the other hand, the city has invested much to dredge rivers, canals; in addition people’s tendency is more and more friendly with nature environment and this also facilitates the birth of river bus.

In the future, what anything else does your company expect to grow the public passenger transport by waterway, sir?

Our plan is to develop two river bus routes if supported by people. For example, expand investment and developing linking routes in HCM City with belt routes and other urban centers such as Long An, Thu Dau Mot, Nhon Trach, Bien Hoa, Phu My (Ba Ria - Vung Tau). At that time, passengers transport by waterways will be covered and be effective. In addition, we also consider the diverse business models to meet the needs of tourism and resorts of people as a survey ship, sightseeing, tourism, restaurant cruise etc. ..

ĐÀO LÊ

sài Gòn Tiếp Thị

Nguồn: http://sgtt.vn/Thoi-su/128442/Cuoi-nam-2011-buyt-duong-song-se-hoat-dong.html