S Korea, Đà Nẵng agree to develop urban railway system

Representatives of Đà Nẵng’s Transport Department and Seoul Metro Corporation of South Korea sign a Memorandum of Understanding on urban railway development and research in Đà Nẵng yesterday. - VNS Photo Công Thành

The MoU will help the central city boost ‘smart and green’ transport measures and build Đà Nẵng as a smart and green city by 2025.

As planned, the two sides will start pre-feasibility studies of some projects including subway, tramway, sky road and metro system for the city’s internal traffic in the coming years.

Chairman and CEO of Seoul Metro Kim Tae-ho said development of an urban railway system would help cement Đà Nẵng’s status as a favourite beach destination in central Việt Nam. It will also develop a connection with the East-West Economic Corridors (EWEC) that links Thailand, Myanmar, Laosand Việt Nam.

Kim said the urban rail system developed by Seoul Metro company in South Korea provides major daily transport for 6 million commuters.

Director of the city’s transport department, Lê Văn Trung said the urban railway, subway and tramway would help meet the transit needs of the rapidly urbanising city in the near future.

He said the development of mass public transit aimed to reduce carbon emissions as well as overcrowding and traffic congestion in the tourism hub.

According to the city’s Master Plan, Đà Nẵng will develop five Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes, 14 regular bus routes, three metro routes and two tramways by 2020.

With a population of 900,000, Đà Nẵng has outgrown its current public transit system, which has only 48 buses traveling along five routes.

Local people make 2.1 million journeys each day, of which 80 per cent are via motorbike, according to the city’s transport department.

In 2013, the World Bank agreed to provide US$202 million for a US$272-million sustainable development project to help improve the city’s Bus Rapid Transit network, build new roads and revamp the existing drainage system.

The WB also funded a five-year priority infrastructure project of the city, funding 70 per cent of the total investment of US$218.4 million in 2008-13.