Ho Chi Minh City logs 25 million bus trips under free-fare programme

Ho Chi Minh City's experimental free bus fare programme has exceeded initial expectations, transporting more than 25.5 million passengers over a three-month period and demonstrating strong public demand for subsidised public transit.

The initiative, covering 134 bus routes across the sprawling southern metropolis, was designed to encourage greater use of mass transit and reduce reliance on private vehicles. Early results suggest the policy has achieved its primary objective, with commuters increasingly incorporating buses into their regular travel routines.

The surge in ridership reflects broader trends in Vietnamese cities as urban populations seek affordable, efficient transportation alternatives amid growing traffic congestion. Officials have not yet announced whether the free-fare programme will be extended beyond its initial trial period or made permanent.

The scheme comes as other major Vietnamese cities explore similar initiatives to boost public transport usage and ease urban mobility challenges. Ho Chi Minh City's transport authority is expected to evaluate the programme's impact on commuter behaviour and municipal finances before determining next steps.