KPL
Vientiane, August 2025 – Vientiane will officially launch a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) trial in early September 2025, offering three months of free service. This marks the first time in Laos that a modern mass transit system will operate on a dedicated route, separate from regular road traffic, replacing the city’s old, noisy, and polluting bus system.
(KPL) Vientiane, August 2025 – Vientiane will officially launch a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) trial in early September 2025, offering three months of free service. This marks the first time in Laos that a modern mass transit system will operate on a dedicated route, separate from regular road traffic, replacing the city’s old, noisy, and polluting bus system.
The BRT line will cover a total distance of 13.9 kilometers with 27 stations along major roads, including Souphanouvong, Setthathirat, Namphou Fountain, Mahosot, Samsenthai, Nongbone, Lanexang, Kaysone Phomvihane, and Dongdok–Kampheng Mueang Road.
The electric buses will run on a system similar to Light Rail Transit (LRT), guided by underground sensors. The system is equipped with dedicated traffic lights, closed-circuit television (CCTV), fire protection, and earthquake warning technology. Operating hours will be from 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., with buses running every five minutes during rush hours and every 15 minutes during off-peak periods.
The BRT lanes are also designed to accommodate ambulances and fire engines when necessary. The project is supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the OPEC Fund.
A second phase of development will extend the route to Wattay International Airport along Souphanouvong Road and to the Lao–China Railway Station along Kaysone Phomvihane and the 450th Anniversary Road.
Planners also noted that the system has been designed for future upgrades to an LRT network, should demand increase.
KPL
