Trials of a new Rapid Transit Bus (BRT) service will begin next week running from KM3 on Thadeua Rd to the Friendship Bridge in a bid to reduce the traffic congestion of Vientiane Capital. “We will begin testing the service on June 17-21 from 7: 00 am to 8: 30 pm, to assess the future expansion of the road and to encourage the use of public buses instead of private vehicles,” Director General of Vientiane Bus State Enterprise Mr. Khamphoun Temelath said on Wednesday.
The decision was made on April 29 during a meeting on peak hour traffic solutions between the Mayor of Vientiane, the Minister of Public Works and Transport and the Japanese Ambassador to Laos. According to a statement by Vientiane Vice Mayor Mr. Keophivanh Aphailath, the Rapid Transit Bus will later set out from the Khuadin Market Bus Station to the Friendship Bridge in order to better service mass transit by public bus. Trips will now be much quicker and also more comfortable during peak hour. “If people use the public bus it will dramatically relieve the congestion of vehicles,” he said, “and if we introduce a BRT then it is important that we include a special lane for it.” In Vientiane Capital, the BRT will be follow three routes: Thadeua Road, Kaysone Phomvihane and Souphanouvong Road.
