Hanoi to pilot ban on cars with more than 16 seats in Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake from March 1

The Hanoi People's Committee has just approved the Department of Transport's proposal to pilot a plan to limit cars with more than 16 seats in the Old Quarter and the area around Hoan Kiem Lake by the hour from March 1.

Restrict vehicles to reduce congestion

The Hanoi People's Committee has just approved the Department of Transport's proposal that cars with more than 16 seats are only allowed to operate during set hours in the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, except for buses and school buses.

The limited pilot period starts from March 1, mornings from 6:30 to 8:30, afternoons from 16:30 to 18:30. After 6 months, the agencies will evaluate the effectiveness and report to the city for consideration and decision.

From March 1, cars with more than 16 seats will be restricted by the hour in the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake. Illustrative photo.

Routes that restrict vehicles over 16 seats include the Hang Giay - Dong Xuan - Hang Duong - Hang Ngang - Hang Dao - Dinh Tien Hoang axes; the Hang Dau - Tran Nhat Duat - Nguyen Huu Huan axes back into Hanoi's Old Quarter and the Ly Quoc Su, Nha Tho, Nha Chung, Quang Trung streets (section from Trang Thi to Nha Chung), Au Trieu, Bao Khanh, Hang Trong, Hang Hanh alley, Bao Khanh alley.

According to the representative of the Hanoi Department of Transport, "Initially proposed by the People's Committee of Hoan Kiem District, the Department then researched with Hanoi's departments and branches and found it necessary to limit vehicles with more than 16 seats to reduce traffic congestion."

This representative explained that there is a situation where many hotels where foreign guests stay, passenger cars from 16-45 seats often operate to pick up and drop off guests, causing traffic congestion in the old quarter. Just 2 passenger cars lined up side by side on the road will cause congestion due to the characteristics of the old quarter being small streets and alleys.

"Every morning, traffic is caused by tourist contract cars coming in and out to pick up and drop off passengers, especially in the morning. They stop to pick up passengers and load luggage for each car for about ten minutes. The road is small, so traffic is often congested," said Ms. Nguyen Phuong, a resident of the Old Quarter.

Restricting vehicles does not affect tourism

The Hanoi Department of Transport said that the hourly vehicle restriction will have accompanying solutions so as not to affect the tourism goals of local residents and foreign tourists. To support local residents and tourists to travel conveniently, the city will arrange 4 transit points in the directions of the restricted area on Ba Trieu, Tran Nhat Duat, Phung Hung streets and Dong Xuan market area. Transit vehicles will not use fossil fuels.

Agreeing with the hourly vehicle restriction on the above streets, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy - Traffic expert said: Recently, the number of tourists coming to Hoan Kiem Old Quarter for sightseeing and accommodation has increased day by day, the need for transportation to serve visitors is inevitable.

However, according to Ms. Thuy, in this area there are no convenient parking lots for tourists. Traffic organization for tourist contract vehicles serving customers is still limited to punishing violating vehicles without having necessary measures to reduce the "burden" of traffic infrastructure on small streets that cannot accommodate bulky passenger vehicles causing traffic jams, becoming a frustration for people living in the old town.

Therefore, banning cars with more than 16 seats from operating in the above areas will help reduce traffic congestion in the Old Quarter, especially during rush hours, improve the environment, reduce emissions, and protect public health.

Previously, from mid-2024, Chairman of Hoan Kiem District People's Committee Pham Tuan Long said that this unit had proposed the city to limit cars entering the old quarter and limit buses entering radial axes to reduce traffic density in the old quarter area.

Hanoi is also developing a plan to ban fossil fuel vehicles from operating in the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake to create a low-emission zone. It is expected that the city will support people in this area to switch from gasoline and diesel vehicles to electric vehicles.

The Old Quarter of Hanoi covers an area of ​​over 80 hectares, including 10 wards: Hang Dao, Hang Bac, Hang Gai, Hang Bo, Hang Bong, Hang Buom, Hang Ma, Cua Dong, Dong Xuan, and Ly Thai To. Hoan Kiem Lake covers an area of ​​about 12 hectares with surrounding streets such as Dinh Tien Hoang, Ly Thai To, and Hang Khay.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/ha-noi-thi-diem-cam-o-to-tren-16-cho-khu-vuc-pho-co-ho-guom-tu-ngay-1-3-192250211103609352.htm