The Hanoi People’s Committee has approved a fare exemption plan proposed by the Department of Construction, applying to the entire subsidized public passenger transport network, including buses and urban rail.

Specifically, the policy will cover 128 subsidized bus routes and two metro lines: Cat Linh - Ha Dong and Nhon - Hanoi Station (elevated section).

The program will be implemented over seven days, divided into two phases: from April 25 to April 27 for the Hung Kings holiday, and from April 30 to May 3 for the Reunification Day and International Workers’ Day holidays.

All passengers using these services during the period will be exempt from fares.

For implementation, bus passengers will still receive tickets corresponding to each route’s fare, but will not be required to pay. On pilot routes using electronic ticketing, tickets will be issued via POS devices. Transport operators are responsible for accurately recording the number of tickets issued during the free period.

For urban rail, passengers will be issued “zero-cost” tickets either at counters or through the Hanoi Metro application. The operating unit will compile and verify the number of free tickets for settlement and reimbursement purposes.

The total cost of the program is estimated at VND16.2 billion (US$660,000), funded from the 2026 public transport subsidy budget. Relevant units are required to report passenger volumes in full as the basis for disbursement.

According to city authorities, similar fare exemption policies during previous holidays, including National Day on September 2, 2025, and the Lunar New Year 2026, delivered clear results. Public transport usage increased significantly, contributing to reduced reliance on private vehicles, easing traffic congestion, and improving the urban environment.

Vu Diep