HCMC to offer free bus travel from July through year-end

The proposed policy is expected to enhance public service accessibility, strengthen social welfare, and encourage residents to shift from private vehicles to public transport, contributing to the development of a greener and more sustainable urban transport system.

The policy will be rolled out in two phases. During the first phase, from July to September, passengers will be able to use eligible bus services free of charge without identity verification. The city will apply a fixed revenue support mechanism to ensure convenience and encourage greater use of public transport.

In the second phase, from October to December, passengers will continue to enjoy free travel but will be required to verify their identity by scanning a card or QR code through the electronic ticketing system installed on buses. Subsidies will then be calculated based on actual passenger numbers.

Ho Chi Minh City currently operates 180 bus routes, including 158 intra-city services and 22 inter-provincial routes connecting neighboring localities such as Tay Ninh, Dong Thap and Dong Nai.

The fare exemption policy will apply only to subsidized intra-city bus routes and will exclude inter-provincial services, open-top sightseeing buses and airport shuttle routes linking urban centers with tourist destinations.

Bus fares on subsidized routes currently range from VND 5,000 to VND 7,000 per trip, while students are charged VND 3,000.

According to city authorities, public buses accounted for only around 1.6 percent of total travel demand in 2025, far below the target of 7.23 percent. Previous fare exemption programs helped boost ridership temporarily, but passenger numbers declined after the incentives ended./.