Ho Chi Minh City to roll out free bus travel for all residents this month

The municipal Department of Construction, which is responsible for transport oversight, said it is completing technical, financial, and operational preparations before presenting the plan to the city’s People’s Council, which is expected to meet around April 20.

If approved, the policy would take effect about 10 days after passage, deputy director Bui Hoa An told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

The department is finalizing cost estimates this week for a proposal to fully subsidize bus fares.

Authorities expect demand for buses to rise and are planning to increase capacity by at least 30 percent in the initial stage, with existing infrastructure able to handle a potential 50-percent increase in ridership, An said.

The city is also studying the expansion of night bus services, though officials said this would depend on budget considerations and may be implemented later.

Separately, authorities said improvements to sidewalks and access to bus stops will require coordination between agencies, including efforts to clear obstructions and improve pedestrian infrastructure.

The proposed policy follows a directive by the city’s leadership to promote public transport use, reduce congestion, and cut pollution, with officials estimating the program could cost about VND7 trillion (US$266 million) annually.

Ho Chi Minh City currently offers free bus rides to certain groups, including seniors, young children, and people with disabilities, at an annual cost of about VND1.7 trillion ($65 million), while standard fares range from VND5,000 ($0.18) to VND7,000 ($0.26) per trip.