Ho Chi Minh City expands transit links, plans parking growth to ease metro riders’ parking crunch

Official parking lots at key stations like Ben Thanh in downtown Ben Thanh Ward and Suoi Tien Coach Station in Long Binh Ward regularly fill up by early morning, forcing many riders to seek costly and insecure informal parking.

Commuter My Linh, who uses the metro daily, said she must arrive before 7:00 am to secure a spot, adding that after 8:00 am all official spaces are full.

The Voluntary Youth Public Benefit Service Company Limited, which manages parking at 11 metro stations, said it is working with city authorities to enlarge parking lots at high-demand stations, including plans to build new facilities at Suoi Tien Coach Station.

Urban planning expert Dr. Nguyen Bao Thanh said addressing the parking shortage requires broader efforts to reduce reliance on private vehicles by expanding bus networks and promoting alternatives like bike-sharing and walking.

“A well-connected public transit system with integrated fares is key,” he said.

The city’s Management Center of Public Transport (MCPT) has already increased feeder bus routes to metro stations and is implementing a fare integration policy to make transfers between buses and the metro more affordable.

Some commuters raised concerns about parking lots being used by non-metro riders, straining capacity further.

Daily metro user Doan Dai Hiep suggested a monthly pass system to prioritize frequent riders.

Opened last December, metro line No. 1 runs nearly 20 kilometers from Ben Thanh Station to Suoi Tien Coach Station and is seen as a vital tool in combating the city’s notorious traffic congestion.

Yet, as infrastructure improvements roll out, parking shortages remain a pressing issue for many riders.