Study on the Planning of Public Bus Transport at Luang Prabang City

This study aims to examine the current state of transportation and planning approaches for developing the public transport system within the urban area of Luang Prabang. The study area is defined along the city’s main routes and surrounding zones. The research methodology involved interviewing experts from the urban development project, the Department of Transport in Luang Prabang, and planning specialists from the private sector, alongside the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and SWOT analysis for data evaluation.

The study found that the main city routes extending from the Royal Road to the Pak Khan intersection have three designated pick-up and drop-off points with a high level of suitability. Meanwhile, the peripheral roads along the Mekong River and Nam Khan River, which are one-way streets, have six designated pick-up and drop-off points, also rated highly suitable. However, the provision of public transport services in Luang Prabang remains limited because the population still primarily uses private vehicles, and tourists tend to rely on transportation provided by guesthouses or hotels. Therefore, future development of public transport should consider using smaller vehicles that are appropriate for the city’s urban layout, clearly organizing routes and pick-up/drop-off points, and expanding the network to provide access to communities and key tourist destinations. This approach should be integrated with support from multiple sectors to ensure that public transport services are sustainable, environmentally friendly, and contribute to a future system of efficient urban mobility.