Back Stories » Hanoi » Hanoi Launches First-Ever Natural Gas-Powered Buses

Hanoi Launches First-Ever Natural Gas-Powered Buses

Two bus routes, set up by Bao Yen Tourism, will run entirely on compressed natural gas (CNG). They officially opened in Hanoi on August 1, with a third route beginning August 9.

While the first two routes will run between My Dinh and Son Tay bus stations and the area near Nhat Tan Bridge to Times City, the third will run from Yen Nghia bus station to Dang Xa urban area, Hanoi Times reports.

CNG primarily consists of methane and can thus be burned, said Thai Ho Phuong, deputy director of the Hanoi Center for Urban Transport Management and Control. Although burning methane releases carbon dioxide, it is far less harmful for the environment than releasing pure methane.

Besides being less harmful to the environment and human health, CNG is also safer to transport as it is less flammable at lower percentages. It is also 10–30% cheaper than other types of fuel, making it more economical to use.

After riding the CNG-powered bus, Hanoian passenger Nguyen Thi Thu Huong told VTC, “It is cool, smells very nice, and goes really smoothly. It also has free Wi-Fi, which sets it apart from traditional buses.”

The buses operate from 5am to 8:30–9pm, and waiting intervals range from 15 to 20 minutes. Each ticket costs between VND8,000 (US$0.34) and VND9,000 (US$0.39).

Far from being the first use of biogas in Vietnam, the buses are part of a slow shift towards more environmentally-friendly fuel sources, with 170,000 households around Vietnam now using biodigesters to create biogas for use as cooking fuel.


Related Articles:

Hanoi to Add Car Parks to Major Bus Terminals

Open-Top Tourist Buses Rolling Into Hanoi Later This Month

Hanoi to Trial New Pedestrianized Street in Tay Ho Starting This Weekend


Related Articles

in Hanoi

$600,000 Lunar Rock to Be Displayed in Pagoda Complex Near Hanoi

The meteorite, which was recently bought for US$612,500, will be put on display in Tam Chuc Pagoda Complex, only 1.5 hours south of the capital.

in Hanoi

After 2 Years, Hanoi's BRT Route Fails to Reach Full Capacity

In 2018, Hanoi’s bus rapid transit (BRT) only reached half its potential capacity despite serving 5.3 million passengers.

in Hanoi

After Completing Nghi Tam Overpass, Hanoi Proposes Plan to Expand Au Co

Having finished construction on the An Duong-Thanh Nien Overpass, which opened last Thursday, plans are now being proposed to level and expand Au Co Street.

in Hanoi

After Plastination, Hanoi's Beloved Cu Rua Preserved for All to See

Ever since Hoan Kiem Lake’s legendary turtle sadly perished in 2016, many expected the beloved creature would be preserved and put on display so Hanoians could pay their respects.

in Hanoi

Authorities Confirm Hanoians Exposed to Mercury, Yet Confusion Remains

Following much confusion, environment officials confirmed yesterday that residents living within 500 meters of a light bulb factory that burned down in Hanoi's Thanh Xuan District last week have been ...

in Hanoi

British Embassy Staff Hold 1-Minute Silence to Commemorate Migrant Victims

All across Vietnam, people remain shocked and saddened by the news of the United Kingdom truck deaths.

Partner Content