Ho Chi Minh City Buses See Over 8.5 Million Riders in First Month of Free Fares

On July 30, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction summarized the situation after one month of implementing the resolution adopted by the City People's Council regarding free bus fares within the city. This free fare policy is expected to promote public transport usage among citizens, contributing to the mitigation of urban traffic congestion and the reduction of environmental impact. The figure of over 8.5 million passengers in just one month suggests a high level of public interest and a certain effectiveness of the policy. In Vietnam, with advancing urbanization, the development of transportation infrastructure in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City has become an urgent issue. Promoting the use of public transportation is an indispensable element for maintaining and improving urban functions for Vietnam, which aims for sustainable economic growth under its one-party system. In particular, for Vietnam, which has strong economic ties with China, domestic infrastructure development is also considered important for enhancing economic independence. While this free bus fare policy directly contributes to improving the convenience of citizens' lives, its funding and sustainability will require further evaluation in the future. However, investment in public transportation holds the potential to invigorate economic activities and improve overall societal efficiency in the long term.