Just recently, with the assistance of JBIC, the SAPROF Team of Japan has selected the highest workable project among others namely project on East-West Avenue implemented by the JBIC loan from Japan. The project has been approved, the loan agreement has been signed between the two Governments and it has come into force since July 2000. It is an important project in the transport development process of HCMC in the 21st century.
Public passenger transport is the worry and pondering of the leaders and the people of HCMC. Although the city has made a great deal of efforts such as improvement of vehicle quality, improvement of several routes, regulation of route schedules, improvement of management and formulation of mechanism aiming at promotion of public passenger transport development. Yet, public passenger transport cannot help declining and the utilization of individual vehicles is on a rapid increase.
Critical requirements in terms of the solution, investment capital sources for public passenger transport and its efficiency has not been satisfied. Particularly, the city is in the expectation of the implementation of the project on elevated railway lines of Hoa Hung-Binh Trieu, Ben Thanh-Tan Son Nhat and Ben Thanh-Binh Tay. If it is realized, it will be considered an initial step for development of mass public passenger transit with high speed on several corridors meeting with heavy traffic density of the city.
In parallel with the development of modern transport means being inner city railway, the city is also in need of a sufficient and effective bus system, which has not been implemented properly by the city itself. Public passenger transport in HCMC is now so critical that it requires great efforts and suitable steps of the city's leaders and people.
At this seminar, if possible, I would like to ask JICA's assistance to conduct a study under the form of SAPROF, i.e. review all previous projects or studies that have been conducted in HCMC, and based on those projects and studies, to select some feasibility projects on inner city railway, and then in an assessment in order to identify and rank high priority projects. These projects will be used to raise capital in various forms, including ODA from JBIC for construction. This is the fastest, most effective and practical method to help HCMC make drastic upheaval in the field of public passenger transport.
We highly appreciate all the efforts of JTCA, TDSI and MOT who have held this seminar. I would like to thank all participants for good ideas in developing public passenger transport in HCMC. As for our municipal transport sector, we pledge to cooperate with any counterparts so public passenger transport of the city will be developed practically and effectively in the time to come.
