Ho Chi Minh City put into operation its first-ever river bus route on November 25, hoping to ease road traffic loads.

The station on Bach Dang wharf - the starting point of the river bus route (Photo: vietnamnet)

The 10.8-km route connects Bach Dang wharf in District 1 with Linh Dong ward in Thu Duc district with one-way tickets priced at 15,000 VND (0.66 USD) and excluded for people aged above 70 and children with under-one-metre height. In its first ten days of operation, passengers can enjoy the bus service free of charge.

Three vehicles are run on the route, with two more set to be launched within the first half of 2018. Main stations of the route such as Bach Dang and Linh Dong have been connected with the city’s bus network to facilitate the movement of city dwellers.

Nguyen Kim Toan, director of Thuong Nhat company – the investor of the river bus project, revealed that five out of 12 stations along the route have been completed. 

The company launched and conducted technical operation in August this year. 

The second river bus route in the southern city by Thuong Nhat will span 10.3 km, connecting Bach Dang wharf with Lo Gom area in District 6.-VNA