Public Transportations in Laos

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Vientiane - Inner City Bus

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Vientiane Buses To Introduce Electronic Payment System

http://jclao.com/vientiane-buses-to-...payment-system



The Vientiane Capital State Bus Enterprise (VCSBE) plans to launch an electronic payment system on the 42 buses recently given to the city by the Japanese government.

Some 30 officials from the bus enterprise met last Friday to discuss the technology required to install the electronic payment system with specialists from Japan and Bangladesh. They plan to introduce the system in November.

VCSBE Director Mr Khamphoune Temerath said the enterprise is learning about the new system of electronic payment to be used on buses in Vientiane, and a trial run is planned for October on routes from the city centre to the National University of Laos, along Donedeng, Phonetong, and Kaysone Phomvihane roads.

Before doing that, the VCSBE has to set up the system and prepare the equipment before giving lectures on the new system to staff and university students. It is also necessary to identify bus stops, and adapt the new system to the reality of road conditions and passengers.

Experts from JICA have highlighted the benefits of the electronic payment system. They introduced the same system in Bangladesh and it has improved public transport in the capital, Dhaka, providing a faster service for passengers and a stable income management system, enabled by the use of electronic cards.

Mr Khamphoune said after the trial along routes to the National University of Laos, VCSBE will iron out any problems before rolling out the system on other routes. They also plan to distribute the electronic payment cards, which can be used not only for bus services but also to purchase certain goods.

“As we all know, public bus patronage in Laos is low compared to other Asean countries, because there are not many buses and they provide slow service, so people buy motorbikes and cars instead,” Mr Khamphoune said.

“I hope the new system will help to ease traffic congestion in Vientiane while providing a convenient service for passengers. I believe this will help to decrease carbon emissions in Vientiane in the near future,” he added.

The government plans to end the import of second-hand cars and improve public transport, with the aim of easing traffic congestion, decreasing road accidents and lowering carbon emissions in Vientiane.

Source: Vientiane Times