|
The life of wheelchair users got a little more convenient Tuesday (Junly 3) when the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Transport Cooperatives introduced eight green buses, including two for people with disabilities.
The buses not only run on compressed natural gas, but also boast wider doors, adjustable floors that can be lowered to street-level, and seats specially designed for disabled passengers.
Union director Phung Dang Hai said his company paid a South Korean firm VND15 billion (US$718.5 million) to import all eight buses, which run from An Suong Bus Station in District 12 to the Agriculture and Forestry University in Thu Duc District.
The city has nearly 50 buses fueled by compressed natural gas. One route runs from Ben Thanh Market to the Western Bus Station, and another from the Hang Xanh roundabout in Binh Thanh District to Dai Nam Tourism Area in Binh Duong Province that borders the city.
The municipal Transportation Department said it will build or import 1,680 new buses by 2015 and will prioritize disabled-friendly buses, which it hopes will account for 5-10 percent of the fleet by 2020.
To meet the target, deputy director Duong Hong Thanh said his department will encourage policy-makers to set incentives for investors to develop buses for people with disabilities.
|