Eagerly waiting for the inter-regional bus to roll out

From Thu Dau Mot ward to Vung Tau ward, information about bus routes 171 and 172 will be running from November 1st spread quickly in the community. Many workers, students, and civil servants eagerly awaited the first bus, a means of transport expected to help make their daily journeys of earning a living and studying less arduous and more convenient.

Hope for a safe trip, good price and on time

In late October, from the coastal area to the North of the city, the story of two new bus routes going into the city center has become familiar. In coffee shops or morning market corners, people who work far away remind each other: "There will be buses coming into the city early next month."

Bus route 172 from Vung Tau Bus Station - Saigon Bus Station (Ben Thanh Ward) will run from November 1. Photo: TRUC GIANG

Mr. Le Van Khanh (35 years old, Vung Tau ward) works in Binh Thanh ward, nearly 100km from home. Every week, he travels up and down twice, mostly by bus. "The price is high, the schedule is inconvenient. If there is a bus running regularly and at a reasonable price, it will be much less difficult for me," he said excitedly. Similarly, Ms. Nguyen Khac Ngoc Phuong (Thu Dau Mot ward), an employee of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Office, said that every day she leaves home at 5am to be on time for work. When it rains or gets stuck in traffic, the journey becomes even more difficult. "If the bus runs on time and is at a reasonable price, I believe many people will choose to take it," she shared.

Many young people who work far from home also consider this a desirable option. Mr. Nguyen Van Sy (25 years old), a worker living in Phu Loi ward, said he will try bus route 171 on the first days of operation: "I heard that the bus is new, the price is quite reasonable, there is wifi, electronic tickets, so I am very excited."

Ready for the day of rolling

In the last days of October, at the bus stations of Phuong Trang Passenger Transport Joint Stock Company - Futabuslines, the atmosphere of preparation for the two new bus routes became bustling. Technical staff checked the vehicles, drivers reviewed the routes, and route information boards were completed before the departure date.

According to the company representative, all preparations have been 100% completed. The system of parking lots and stops is made use of the existing infrastructure, while the team of drivers and assistants are retrained in professional skills and have a clear understanding of passenger service procedures. From now until October 31, the company will continue to review the route, ensuring the vehicles operate safely and on time. Both routes use high-quality vehicles, with free wifi, journey monitoring equipment and an electronic ticketing system, with about 15 vehicles put into operation in the first phase.

“We want passengers to feel the modernity and convenience of long-distance buses but at a reasonable price and stable schedule,” said a representative of Phuong Trang Company. The company also said it will invest in electric buses for these two routes in the future, in line with Ho Chi Minh City’s green transformation orientation by 2030. “November 1 falls on a Saturday, so the number of passengers may not be large at first, but we believe the first passengers will be long-term customers, because they feel the convenience, savings and safety,” said the representative.

According to Mr. Bui Hoa An, Deputy Director of the Department of Construction of Ho Chi Minh City, the two bus routes 171 and 172 are operated by Phuong Trang Passenger Transport Joint Stock Company. Putting the two bus routes 171 and 172 into operation is a concrete step in the city's inter-regional public transport development strategy after expanding its administrative boundaries. The goal is not only to open new routes, but also to form the habit of traveling by public transport, helping people travel more conveniently, economically and safely.

These two routes are considered the "first connection" between the city center and the suburban areas, connecting important traffic axes such as Vo Nguyen Giap - Binh Duong Boulevard - Dien Bien Phu - Ham Nghi and Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Expressway. Operation will help reduce pressure on National Highway 51 and traffic hotspots such as Binh Trieu gateway, An Phu intersection... which are often congested during rush hours. Mr. Bui Hoa An added that in the long term, the inter-regional bus system will become an important piece in the planning of a multi-center city, expanding access to public transport to administrative areas, industrial parks and new residential areas in the North and Southeast of the city.

Currently, Ho Chi Minh City has 164 bus routes with more than 2,300 vehicles in operation. The goal is to increase the number to 3,300 vehicles by 2030, switching entirely to electric vehicles and clean energy. "With these two bus routes, the city has identified two phases of green vehicle conversion. From now until the end of 2025, operations will be by Euro V-standard vehicles, and from 2026, it will completely switch to electric vehicles or renewable energy," said Mr. Hoa An. Traffic experts believe that expanding connections by public transport is an inevitable step after the merger. When traffic is smooth, the flow of labor, goods, and services between Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring areas will operate more flexibly.

Route 172: Vung Tau Bus Station - Saigon Bus Station (Ben Thanh Ward) is 97km long, with 38 trips per day, the journey takes about 130 minutes, stopping at Co.opmart Vung Tau, the center of Ba Ria Ward, Co.opmart Tan Thanh, ticket price from 30,000-110,000 VND.

Route 171: Phu Chanh - Saigon Bus Station, 46km long, 42 trips/day, 100-minute journey, with 4 new stops: Binh Duong ward center, Becamex Tower, Binh Duong General Hospital, Lotte Mart The Seasons, ticket price 15,000-70,000 VND depending on distance.

TRUC GIANG - TAM TRANG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/hao-huc-cho-xe-buyt-lien-vung-lan-banh-post820686.html