Final Report - Asian Development Bank

Asian Development Bank TA7343 Ho Chi Minh City MRT Line 2 Project
MVA Asia Ltd Final Report – November 2010
4. SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT
4.1 Introduction
4.1.1 HCMC travel characteristics have developed differently to most other cities. Normally the
traditional non-motorised travel modes such as walking and cycling give way to motorised
transport – usually buses and then as incomes grow motorcycles and then cars. However, in
HCMC bus travel has never been established like most other cities and motorcycle use
accounts for approximately 70% of all trips with public transport (bus mainly) accounting for
less than 5%.
4.1.2 As the economy and population grows in HCMC there is an increased demand for travel. To
be able to fight the challenges created by increased private vehicle ownership (such as
congestion leading to poor air quality and high carbon emissions) it is necessary that a
sustainable alternative to private transport is developed. A sustainable public transport
system is important to meet the demand for travel in HCMC and improve the quality of urban
living and the environment.
4.1.3 A sustainable transport system can be defined as:
Access and movement of people and goods in a way that promotes healthy living and
economic and social growth;
Affordable, efficient travel with choices of mode;
A transport system that is energy efficient and space saving with low impact on the
environment.
A transport system that is financially sustainable
4.1.4 A sustainable transport system is important because more people will be encouraged to use
public transport and non motorised modes of travel resulting in:
Less traffic congestion therefore a reduction in carbon emissions from private vehicles
(compared with business as usual scenario) which will reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and damage to the environment
Improved personal health (through exercise and less exposure to vehicle emissions)
Greater accessibility for all to public services, employment opportunities, education etc
resulting in increased social and economic growth
A safe urban travel experience
4.1.5 This chapter considers the physical and policy measures that are required to create a
sustainable transport system in HCMC and especially how this can be achieved in
combination with the proposed MRT system and in particular MRT Line 2.
4.2 HCMC Public Transport Mode Share Targets
4.2.1 The current transport plan for HCMC and suburbs was approved in 2007 5 . It contains the
fundamentals for development of communications and transport up to 2020 and a vision for
beyond 2020. Generally the plan sets out improvements to the road network and
infrastructure as well plans for the extension of the urban railway network and new MRT lines.
There is very little proposed to enhance the bus network and operation of services although
the principles of creating an integrated public transport network are defined.
4.2.2 The most significant target set by the Plan is the proportion of public transport trips to reach
22-26% of travel demand by 2010-2015 and 47-50% by 2020. However, current estimates
are that only 5% of trips are undertaken by public transport which is mainly attributed to trips
by bus.
4.2.3 Investment in the bus network and policy to encourage public transport use has not been
sufficient to rapidly increase its popularity. However, some level of investment in road
infrastructure has occurred which is important physically for the bus network.
5 Prime Minister Decision No. 101/QD-TTg ‘Approving the planning on development of communications and
transport in Ho Chi Minh city up to 2020 and an after 2020 vision’
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