Context
Vientiane is the capital city of the Lao PDR, which is projected to grow to over 1.4 million by 2030. Tourism to Lao PDR has been increasing significantly in recent years (with nearly 5 million overseas arrivals in 2015). As the population increases and tourists arrive in the capital, so does the demand for transport. Currently, fossil-fuel based private transportation options including privately owned cars, motorcycles, and publicly accessible tuk-tuks, songthaews, and taxis have been filling the gap. The existing public transport (bus-based) network is insufficient for the needs of the city. Therefore, investment in a better public transport network, including with so-called smart public transport, is needed. As such, Lao PDR has requested technical assistance to develop plans and pre-feasibility studies to improve the urban public transport network is Vientiane. The TA also requests capacity building, including the development of an administrative plan for aspects of urban public transport in Vientiane.
CTCN Support
The technical assistance will provide the additional capacity enhancement to Laos and Vientiane to develop and operate a public transport system. It will develop a detailed plan for the urban public transport system & network, a draft implementation plan for one possible Vientiane urban public transport system, a rough estimated cost calculation, and a draft institutional arrangement plan for operating and administrating the public transport network & system.
Expected Impact
The technical assistance will enable Lao PDR to better understand the future needs of Vientiane and its transport network and to create more detailed plans, funding applications, and budgets for projects and policies related to the urban public transport network. Eventually, if funding and approval for the projects and policies identified are obtained, project implementation will lead to an improved public transport network and a corresponding shift from other fossil-fuel-based modes, rendering a reduction in GHG emissions from transport in the country. The technical assistance will contribute to achieving Lao PDR’s Nationally Determined Contribution, which for the transportation sector aims at an average reduction of 25 to 300 kt CO2e/year between 2020 and 2030.
