Service quality is a decisive factor for the development of the adjacent bus.

Speaking to Kinh te & Do thi, Master of Transport Organization and Management Nguyen Tuyen said that high service quality is the most important factor for the development of the bus industry. It is also the universal key to opening up a potential market for this civilized and modern form of passenger transport.

What do you think about the role and development potential of adjacent buses?

- The adjacent bus is essentially an inter-provincial passenger bus that applies the same mechanism as a regular bus. For example, there are many stops along the way, some types of taxes and fees are supported, the bus is designed with standing space... In many large cities around the world , inter-provincial passenger buses have been replaced by adjacent buses, long-distance buses and operate very effectively, bringing benefits to both people and transport companies. It can be said that adjacent buses are the general trend of VTHK with distances under 100km.

Not only does the adjacent bus system enhance the capacity of road transport, it also plays a very important role in eliminating illegal buses and bus stations. With advantages in ticket prices, many stops, etc., the development of adjacent buses will naturally eliminate other types of vehicles. For Hanoi , the Department of Transport has also advised the city on a plan to gradually convert inter-provincial passenger buses with a distance of less than 100km to adjacent buses.

So why do nearby buses still account for a modest proportion of Hanoi's road transport system?

- It can be said that the current policy framework for adjacent buses is complete and comprehensive. However, this type of VTHK is not attractive to transport enterprises for many reasons, including concerns about low revenue and low profit margins. Nearby buses are not subsidized, and on every route there is fierce competition from unlicensed buses, disguised buses, and convenient buses, so enterprises are still quite cautious in investing and exploiting.

On the other hand, although adjacent buses have been around for many years, due to their small numbers, poor quality of vehicles and services, they have not attracted passengers. Few passengers make businesses less determined to invest in innovation and improve quality. That loop is the main obstacle preventing adjacent buses from improving their competitiveness and expanding their market share.

So what should the neighboring bus system do to develop commensurate with its role and potential, sir?

- In fact, buses in general and nearby buses in particular are still popular with people because of their cheap fares and many stops, which are huge advantages to improve competitiveness. For example, a limousine ticket from Hanoi to Bac Ninh costs over 100,000 VND, but a nearby bus on the same route is only 1/3 of that.

Moreover, people always feel more comfortable and safer when taking the bus, without as many concerns as when taking an off-road vehicle. Therefore, as long as the adjacent bus can promote its existing strengths, improve service quality, and make itself attractive, it can capture market share. In other words, service quality is the universal key for the adjacent bus to open up a large market for itself.

The quality of life of the people is now different, much improved compared to previous years. The quality of vehicles and services is a vital factor, deciding the existence and development of all types of public transport in general, and adjacent buses in particular. If the vehicle is clean and beautiful; the service attitude is good; say no to hanging around, stopping and parking on the road... then even if the fare is a little higher, people will still comfortably accept it.

In particular, transport companies need to understand and grasp people's preferences to proactively respond. For example, with vehicles, buses that travel longer distances must have better conditions to meet the needs of passengers, use vehicles with limited standing space, increase seats, or even all-seat vehicles with no standing space. In the minds of many people, taking the bus means they may have to stand. With a distance of tens of kilometers, having to stand will make them hesitate, if the vehicle ensures seats, it will attract more customers.

In addition to the efforts of businesses, what mechanisms and policies are needed to encourage businesses to invest in adjacent buses?

- The adjacent bus is actually a passenger bus but is subject to many special regulations for buses such as: having many stops; using bus infrastructure; station fees are only about 15% of normal... so it is already much more preferential.

Of course, to develop widely on VTHK routes with a distance of less than 100km, the adjacent bus service will need to be further encouraged. Many businesses have expressed their desire to enjoy incentives such as: low-interest loans to invest in vehicles; better connections to passenger transfer points in the inner city, increased ticket prices... The Hanoi Department of Transport will study these proposals, synthesize reports for competent authorities to consider and decide.

Many transport companies believe that with the complicated situation of illegal buses, shuttle buses, and disguised buses, it will be difficult for nearby buses to develop. What do you think about this issue?

- Types of vehicles such as illegal buses, disguised passenger buses, shuttle buses, and shared buses are currently causing many difficulties for the transport sector in general. To completely resolve this problem, there must be efforts from management agencies, functional forces, people, and transport businesses.

As I said, if the adjacent buses are widely developed and have good services, they will actively contribute to eliminating illegal passenger transport business vehicles. In fact, the types mentioned above are all active within a distance of 200km or less, especially within 100km. The principle of the market is that where there is demand, there is supply. People want to have adjacent buses to travel with cheap fares and high quality, but they are not satisfied, so many people choose to use shared vehicles.

The nature of the shared bus and disguised bus can be considered a type of bus because it picks up and drops off individual passengers at many stops, but the ticket price is many times higher. Moreover, the travel time is also longer, especially when picking up passengers in the city. Certainly, the shared bus and disguised bus are not much better than the adjacent bus, only better in service quality and promotion, reaching customers. If the adjacent bus improves its vehicles, ensures high-quality service, and reaches more diverse passengers, it will certainly compete well with the shared bus and disguised bus.

Saying this is to make it clear to transport businesses that investing in the exploitation of adjacent buses, if done properly and with good service quality, will certainly be successful, even in the face of fierce competition from other forms of transport.

Thank you very much!

07:25 11/10/2024

Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/chat-luong-dich-vu-la-yeu-to-co-tinh-quyet-dinh-de-xe-bust-ke-can-phat-trien.html