Ho Chi Minh City orders checks on bus fares, fuel supply at petrol stations

Nguyen Van Duoc, chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, directed the Department of Construction to oversee fluctuations in fuel prices and report any issues affecting road transport.

The department is tasked with reviewing fare declarations by transport companies and ensuring compliance with pricing regulations.

The Department of Industry and Trade will supervise fuel supply at retail stations and agencies, coordinating with other units to guarantee stable and uninterrupted distribution.

Grassroots-level authorities are also required to maintain order at fuel stations, especially in busy areas, while city police will help regulate traffic and prevent congestion.

According to a Department of Construction report, 15 transport companies had raised fares on 102 fixed interprovincial and intraprovincial routes as of last Tuesday, with increases ranging from five percent to 36 percent depending on distance and vehicle type.

Major operators such as Viet Tan Phat, Toan Thang, Kumho Samco Buslines, Tien Oanh, Thao Hong, and Cuc Tung adjusted fares across multiple routes.

The Ho Chi Minh City Goods Transport Association said member companies’ operating costs have risen 20-25 percent due to higher fuel prices.

Some firms also reported difficulties accessing fuel supplies during shortages.

Global energy prices have surged since military tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran escalated in the Middle East on February 28, disrupting shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for about one-fifth of global oil consumption.