Double-decker buses fail to arouse Hanoi

Hanoi City Tour Hop on-Hop off was launched in Hoan Kiem lake. Photo: hanoi.gov.vn

vtc.vn quoted the representative of Hanoi Transport Corporation (Transeco), the developer of Hanoi City Tour Hop on-Hop off, as saying that 300 customers travelled on the double-deckers in the first two days.

However, after one week, the number of customers is very small. Many people claimed the tickets were too expensive, especially when compared to fares for other buses. Transeco is selling double-decker tickets for VND300,000 ($13.2) for 4 hours, VND450,000 ($19.8) for 24 hours, and VND650,000 ($28.6) for 48 hours.

Many people suggested that the investor should cut prices to better fit people’s wallets and lure in more customers.

Hanoi to welcome Hop on - Hop off double-decker tours

Trang (Hoan Kiem district) told website kenh14.vn: “VND150,000 ($6.6) for two hours would be more reasonable, because I cannot travel for four hours.”

Taking with VIR about the ticket price, the representative of Anh Viet Hop on-Hop off Vietnam Co., Ltd., the co-developer of Hanoi City Tour Hop on-Hop off as well as the developer of Vietnam’s first double-decker buses launched in Ho Chi Minh City, said: “This is the most reasonable price we could offer.”

She explained that in fact, the ticket price in Vietnam is far lower than in other countries. In addition, the service’ s target customers are foreign visitors who want spend a lot of time to travel around the city.

According to tourism website viator.com, double-decker fares in England fluctuate from $16.38 to $156.99, which is much higher than the price in Vietnam.

“Entering into co-operations with tourism companies may boost customer numbers,” the representative added.

Meanwhile, vtc.vn also quoted the explanation of Transeco’s representative: “A large number of people are afraid that the double-decker bus ticket is just valid for a single bus. In fact, customers can get in and get off at any stop. Thus, the bus fare is more reasonable than the taxi alternative.”

Regarding the activities of the double-decker buses in Ho Chi Minh City two years after the launch, Anh Viet Hop on-Hop off Vietnam’s representative said that the number of passengers is usually the highest during the spring. Especially, in June-July business is a little slower because the rains and hot weather keep tourists off the streets.