An artist’s impression of the New Mien Dong Coach Station

The city government on May 9 requested the Department of Transport to explain the need to invest in the additional facilities, which led to the late opening of the coach station. Officials will be required to clarify the necessity and purpose of each additional facility.

At a meeting with reporters in April, a representative of the department said that Saigon Transportation Mechanical Corporation (SAMCO), the project developer, sought approval to invest in some facilities, such as shopping centers, eateries, entertainment areas and filling stations, to meet the demands of passengers and transport enterprises. Construction of the extra projects could last three to four months.

Additionally, the department and SAMCO were planning to arrange routes connecting to the station and change some fixed routes from the current Mien Dong Coach Station to northern localities via National Highway 1A. Also, both sides would organize bus routes linking the two coach stations.

Therefore, the new Mien Dong Coach Station may begin operating in the middle of August, later than earlier scheduled, said the official.

Located next to Hanoi Highway, the coach station covers 16 hectares in District 9 and a part of Di An Township IN Binh Duong Province, which is three times larger than the current Mien Dong Coach Station.

In the first phase, the project includes a central station, a parking lot, a passenger area, a technical system and a wastewater treatment plant. The central station will have four floors and two basements, with a total area of over 49,000 square meters.

Once operational, the station will serve over seven million passengers per year travelling to eastern provinces in the central and northern areas. It is expected to handle some 21,000 passengers each day and up to 52,000 travelers during holidays. SGT

Le Anh