Electric taxi on the streets of Hue

Recently, large cities such as Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have focused on developing green transportation by putting electric bus systems into operation, which has been widely welcomed by the public. These localities have proposed specific programs and roadmaps for developing green transportation in the coming time, with the investment in new public buses, or replacing old buses with green energy...

Thua Thien Hue is one of the localities with great potential for green transport development. Urban areas in the area have a suitable travel range for people using bicycles, electric bicycles, electric motorbikes, etc. The air and landscape environment are fresh, suitable for people using green means of transport. Many forums and seminars with the participation of domestic and foreign experts have discussed issues related to green growth transformation in the transport sector.

Recently, in Hue City, a pilot model of public bicycle sharing was implemented with 20 stations in the locality, an average of 10 - 20 vehicles/station; a model of using electric vehicles to serve sightseeing at historical sites... Last May, Green and Smart Mobility Joint Stock Company (GSM) launched the first electric taxi service in the locality with nearly 250 GreenCar vehicles. The above service is an important step to bring Thua Thien Hue people and tourists access to new, flexible, healthy travel experiences and contribute to solving the problem of reducing emissions and protecting the environment...

Besides the above efforts, the current concern in Thua Thien Hue is the rapid increase in demand for personal vehicles, especially cars. During rush hour, traffic congestion occurs on the roads, especially at the gateways to Hue City, leading to environmental pollution due to emissions from these vehicles...

Recently, the Provincial People's Committee has issued a plan to implement Decision No. 876/QD-TTg dated July 22, 2022 of the Prime Minister on the action program for green energy conversion, reducing carbon and methane emissions of the local transport sector. The plan aims to develop a green transport system towards the goal of zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. From now until 2030, promote the conversion to electricity and green energy in areas of the transport sector that are ready in terms of technology, institutions, and resources. By 2050, convert all means, equipment, and transport infrastructure to electricity and green energy.

To achieve the above goal, Thua Thien Hue still has a lot of work to do. First of all, it is still necessary to propagate the benefits of green transportation for the sustainable development of future cities so that the majority of people and businesses can respond.

In addition to setting out a specific program and roadmap for green transport development in the coming time, it is necessary to specify policy solutions; converting vehicles, green energy; developing infrastructure for bus stations, rest stops, electric charging stations, etc. so that people and businesses do not hesitate to switch to green transport, especially those operating in the field of public passenger transport.

Developing an electric bus system like other provinces and big cities is something that Thua Thien Hue should think about and create a change in people's awareness of using this public transport. This is what contributes to significantly reducing the amount of emissions from private vehicles into the environment; reducing traffic jams - one of the problems in urban areas today; and is also an inevitable trend of future transportation, especially in an urban area with cultural, heritage, historical characteristics... like Hue.

Article and photos: MINH VAN