Ho Chi Minh City bus ridership jumps 33% after free fare initiative

Starting July 1, all passengers on 134 bus routes currently operating in Ho Chi Minh City can travel free of charge, with the program set to run through December 31.

Le Hoan, deputy head of the city’s Management Center of Public Transport, told a press briefing on Thursday afternoon that the program of covering 100 percent of bus fares has quickly encouraged more people to use the city’s bus network.

Inner-city routes have seen strong ridership growth at up to over 30 percent, especially on the first working day of the week.

Students and workers have accounted for the largest share of passengers over the past 10 years.

Meanwhile, suburban services also reported a 14-percent year-on-year increase in ridership.

These routes play a key role in connecting commuters from Cu Chi Coach Station, An Suong Coach Station, Le Minh Xuan Bus Station, and Nong Lam University to the city center.

Also, bus services linking downtown Ho Chi Minh City and the Binh Duong area, which do not receive operational subsidies, reported even stronger growth, with ridership rising by between 57 percent and 59 percent.

“The initial 10-day results show that the program has achieved its objective of attracting more people to public buses,” Hoan said.

“Many passengers are either trying the service for the first time or returning after previously switching to private vehicles.”

To support the rollout, local authorities have introduced a range of operational measures, including standardized procedures for transport operators, regular consultations with bus companies to address implementation issues, and new guidance features on the MultiGo mobile application.

Additional staff have also been stationed at bus terminals, route endpoints and other high-demand locations to assist passengers.

Authorities have intensified inspections to ensure operators comply with service procedures and standards.

The city has also enhanced efforts to improve service quality, including using 151 electric buses across 11 routes, upgrading bus shelters and stops, installing additional information boards and LED display screens, and studying the establishment of dedicated bus lanes on suitable corridors.