Ho Chi Minh City expected to offer 19,245 bus, 1,320 metro trips free daily over National Day holiday

The services are part of a plan issued by the department to increase public transport services to meet residents' travel needs during the holiday marking the country's National Day (September 2).

The five-day plan aims to ensure continuous and smooth transport services so residents can carry out their travel and leisure plans without disruption, the department said.

The city's bus network is projected to serve around 280,000 passenger trips per day during the holiday, up 29 percent from the same period last year.

To meet such rising demand, the city is projected to operate 19,245 bus trips per day, up eight percent from the same period last year, according to the department.

Meanwhile, metro line No. 1, which connects Ben Thanh with Suoi Tien, is projected to see average passenger demand of 80,995 trips per day during the holiday, up five percent from the same period last year, according to the department.

The metro line is projected to operate 1,320 trips per day during the five-day holiday, also up five percent year on year.

These enhanced services come as the city's fare-free public transport program has provided free rides on 134 bus routes since July 1 and will continue through December 31, 2026.

The program aims to encourage residents to use public transportation and help reduce traffic congestion, according to local authorities.

It does not apply to interprovincial bus services, tourist open-top buses, airport shuttle services or routes operating across provincial or municipal boundaries in a manner similar to interprovincial services.

The city is also expected to adjust bus schedules, add trips and extend operating hours on routes serving areas with high travel demand, including Can Gio, Tan Son Nhat International Airport and suburban areas.

Authorities will monitor passenger demand throughout the holiday and make further adjustments as needed, according to the department.

Other transportation services are also expected to see higher demand during the holiday, with interprovincial bus and air passenger numbers projected to rise 5 percent and 7 percent year on year, respectively, while waterway traffic is forecast to increase across major routes, according to the department.