The HCM City Department of Transport’s public transport operation and management centre has launched 100 new buses on three routes with a focus on comprehensively improving their service standards.

One hundred new buses with improved services and facilities have been launched in HCM City on a trial basis. 

The vehicles offer free wifi, will have GPS for the control centre tracking them. They will be punctual, stop at all designated stops and have well-trained and polite crews.

They began plying on a three-month trial basis on route No 3 between Bến Thành and Thạnh Lộc, No 18 between Bến Thành and Hiệp Thành Market and No 33 between An Sương Bus Station and Việt Nam National University.

Of them, 78 buses on routes 18 and 33 are green, using the more eco-friendly compressed natural gas (CNG) instead of diesel.

“Drivers and conductors must be friendly, not use mobile phones, and should not discriminate against non-paying passengers like seniors and disabled people and passengers with fare discounts like students,” Trần Chí Trung, director of the public transport operation and management centre, said.

The crews also have the responsibility of informing authorities about pickpockets and other criminals operating on their vehicles.

“The most important goal is to offer passengers best quality,” Trung added.

After three months the transport department will review the new service and report to the People’s Committee for the latter to issue new standards for public transport. — VNS