Improving public bus service for a better urban environment a case study in Hochiminh city, Vietnam | |
| Author | Dao Dieu Trang |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.UE-99-08 |
| Subject(s) | Bus lines--Vietnam--Ho Chi Minh Urban ecology--Vietnam--Ho Chi Minh |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | In the recent years, the number of motor vehicles, especially motorcycle and trafffic volume in Hochiminh City, Vietnam has been increasing dramatically. This gtowth of private transport modes leads daily .traffic congestion, commuter frustration, increasing costs in time and money, important air quality deteriorating that may affect public health. Public transport could contribute to a better environment and thus to better public health. Efficient public transport system plays an important role to contribute to sustainable development of a country. This thesis analysis public transport policies, the actors that manage and operate the system, and it especially deals with the service quality delivery of buses to the public. Besides that, the thesis also analyses the City's resident opinions about the public bus service quality. (passengers and non-passenger). The public transport system is not very effective and it has not a high on the priority list of many public actors. Many procedures such as licensing and operating etc. are slow and complicated due to organizational complexity and overlaps. Some of the polices are not clear or have gaps such urban construction and transport. Women office workers and civil servants use buses. Passengers are somewhat satisfied with the service of air-conditioned buses, while non air-conditioned buses need dramatic improvements. Fares of public transport are too high (compared to salaries); low income people cannot use it. Routes and the distribution of bus stops should be improved as well as the vehicle fleet; tickets valid on several companies are not available. Better information is necessary too. Routes and bus stops should be analyzed, for passengers have to walk quite a distance to the stop and wait there too long. Non-passengers prefer their private vehicles (high flexibility) and think that fares are too high. Public transport clearly has socio-economic benefits that contribute to a better environment and thus also to better health. However, improvements in public transport are necessary to increase these benefits. Among them are soft measures to reduce private transport (taxes, traffic management, road construction). Reforms in different policies are proposed and change since the service quality are put forward. To introduce these changes, training in management approaches (performance orientation and how to introduce change in organizations) is necessary. In certain cases studies are necessary. The public should be informed of the changes only when they take place, so that they experience the change and remain or become passengers of public transport. Hopefully, with the better service provided they will shift from private transport modes, i.e. motorcycles and cars to public bus service. |
| Year | 2000 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Urban Environmental and Management (UE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Zimmermann, Willi; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Gengaje, Rajan K.;Swierczek, Fredric William ; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD); |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology |