BlueGrass Design Group will work with the Vientiane Capital State Bus Enterprise (VCSBE) to improve the bus shelters in the city after the two parties reached agreement yesterday.
BlueGrass Design Group inked its concession with VCSBE for the bus shelters project for 10 years.
The project was signed by Founder and Principal of BlueGrass Design Group Mr. Praseuth Banchongphakdy and Director of the Vientiane State Bus Enterprise, Mr. Khamphoun Temelath.
The signing ceremony took place at the Vientiane Public Works and Transport Department yesterday and it was attended by the Director General of the department Mr. Viengsavath Siphandone and senior officials from concerned sectors.
Following the signing of the contract, BlueGrass Design Group will begin replacing the current shelters with new ones as soon as the former concession holder has removed the existing structures.
The new shelters will be installed in different phases. The first phase will include high-traffic areas such as Souphanouvong Road, Setthathirath Road, Lane Xang Avenue and KaysonePhomvihane Road.
BlueGrass Design Group estimates replacing the shelters will cost US$1 million with facilities including Wifi and displayed bus schedules.
“We are also working with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Japan Research Institute for Social Systems (JRISS) to coordinate with them for the bus arrival system that they spent the last two years researching and working on, and with JRISS and internet providers to secure the Wifi system at bus shelters for commuters,” Mr. Praseuth said.
BlueGrass will also maintain the bus shelters with teams cleaning them on a daily basis.
With JICA also expected to increase the number of b uses in Vientiane by 20 to 30 at the end of the year, it was important to begin updating the shelters for use by more commuters, according to the group.
“We must maintain the shelters in line with the Mayor’s goal of keeping Vientiane clean and in good condition so that commuters feel safe and welcome when they board the buses,” Mr. Praseuth said.
“Our maintenance team will be responsible for the upkeep of the shelters and waste baskets we will be installed at each shelter.”
Source: Vientiane Times
