The HCMC Public Traffic Management Center has announced 18 additional high-standard bus lines from July 1, taking the total number of such quality bus lines to 21. This is an effort to attract more people to use public transportation, reported Thanh Nien newspaper.

Passengers get on a bus in HCMC 

Besides the three current bus lines, including Bus 03, 33 and 18, piloted from December 1, 2017, the 18 new bus lines have been equipped with free Wi-fi, Global Positioning System devices, a camera and newspaper and magazine shelves, among other things. The new lines are coded 01, 02, 07, 14, 23, 24, 32, 53, 72, 74, 89, 93, 101, 103, 127, 139, 140 and 150.

A representative of the center said after half a year of running the pilot project, the three bus lines have seen a monthly spike in passenger numbers. Notably, complaints about the attitude and bad behaviour of the drivers and bus staff as well as traffic violations by drivers have reduced significantly, the representative added.

The launch is aimed at creating a civilized and friendly image of the commuter bus service to serve passengers and municipal residents and encouraging the use of public transportation instead of private vehicles.

The HCMC Department of Transport is poised to start a project involving a smart e-ticket system for the commuter bus service. In addition, the department is putting forward solutions to gradually replace private vehicles and make various means of transport eco-friendly to control air pollution.

SGT