Ho Chi Minh City eyes single ticket for bus and metro trips

This is a new feature proposed in a draft decision on bus fares and integrated fares for public transport in Ho Chi Minh City.

The draft was mapped out to implement a resolution of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council on strengthening public passenger transport while controlling the use of personal motor vehicles.

One ticket for the entire journey

Under the draft, cash fares for bus routes would be VND7,000 (US$0.27) for routes of up to 15 kilometers, VND8,000 ($0.30) for routes of 15-25 kilometers, and VND9,000 ($0.34) for routes of 25 kilometers or more.

For cashless payments, fares would be VND6,000 ($0.23), VND7,000 ($0.27), and VND8,000 ($0.30), respectively.

The fare for students would be VND3,000 ($0.11).

Time-based tickets would include a one-day pass at VND18,000 ($0.68), a three-day pass at VND40,000 ($1.52), and a regular monthly pass at VND215,000 ($8.15).

The monthly student pass would cost VND108,000 ($4.09).

These fares are expected to take effect on January 1, 2027.

For integrated bus and metro tickets, passengers paying cashlessly would be able to transfer between buses or from buses to metro trains within 120 minutes, with no limit on the number of transfers.

This provision would not apply to single-ride student tickets.

The proposed transfer fares for bus services would be VND3,000 ($0.11) for distances of up to 15 kilometers, VND4,000 ($0.15) for 15-25 kilometers, and VND5,000 ($0.19) for distances of 25 kilometers or more.

Time-based integrated tickets are proposed at VND47,000 ($1.78) per day, VND104,000 ($3.94) for three days, and VND412,000 ($15.62) per month.

The monthly student pass would cost VND206,000 ($7.81).

The new bus fares would serve as the basis for the city to make payments to transport operators after passenger usage is statistically tallied.

Plan once, pay once

According to local authorities, experience from Singapore, Seoul, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Bangkok, and Hanoi shows that an integrated ticketing system requires more than a shared payment method.

It also needs synchronized fares, transfer conditions, journey identification, electronic fare collection and inspection systems, and a mechanism for distributing revenue.

Bui Hoa An, deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction, said the mechanism is relatively new.

Instead of requiring passengers to buy separate tickets for each mode of transport, they could buy one ticket covering their entire journey.

"Passengers only need to set their route in advance and buy a ticket once to travel. Each person has their own route. When they key in the route into a ticket machine or app, the system will issue a ticket corresponding to the cost," An said.

According to An, the department is currently seeking opinions from Ho Chi Minh City leaders on the proposal.