HÀ NỘI — The Hà Nội Department of Transport has rejected a proposal to build a five-kilometre cable system across the Hồng (Red) River to serve public transport needs.

The plan was put forward by the Poma Group.

Ngô Mạnh Tuấn, deputy director of the Hà Nội Department of Transport, said that the department reported the proposal to the municipal people’s committee.

The department said that the proposal was not suitable with present conditions in the city.

Specifically, the scheme to develop the capital city’s transport system by 2030, which was approved by Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, did not mention any public means of transport like a cable car as proposed by the group.

Earlier, the Poma Group, a French company which manufactures cable-driven lift systems, suggested setting up a cable car system starting at the Long Biên bus terminal on Trần Nhật Duật Road in Hoàn Kiếm District, and ending at the Gia Lâm Terminal in Long Biên District.

The group said that the system would help reduce traffic pressure in the inner city, especially during peak hours on Long Biên, Chương Dương and Vĩnh Tuy bridges.

The total route would be more than five kilometres, including a cable car stretching 1.2km across the Hồng (Red) River. The four remaining kilometres would be above high buildings on the ground.

Cabins would travel between pillars spaced 50-100 metres apart. Each cabin would serve 25-30 passengers. On average, about 7,000 passengers could be transported each hour.

Several transport experts expressed their disagreement with the proposal. They said that the cable system was suitable for mountainous terrain, and should not be used to reduce traffic jams in urban areas.

Additionally, cable system would be expensive and need regular maintenance. Ticket fees would be high making it not suitable for public transport. — VNS