Ho Chi Minh City residents change travel habits by electric bus

Electric bus routes in Ho Chi Minh City are gradually changing people's public transport habits thanks to their convenience, cost savings and contribution to reducing environmental pollution.

Green buses are gradually creating satisfaction for people.

The "green bus" trips have changed a lot compared to before: the interior of the bus is clean and comfortable, the staff is friendly, the payment system is flexible with many different forms, bringing convenience to many people, especially students and working people.

Electric buses have brought convenience to students studying in Ho Chi Minh City.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan, a resident of Thanh My Tay Ward (Ho Chi Minh City), said that she used to use a motorbike to go to work, and every day she had to face traffic jams, dust, and heat. However, for more than a year now, she has decided to switch to going to work by bus to be less tired and safer. She said that the buses run on time, are not crowded, have air conditioning, and are very comfortable to sit on. "If everyone uses public transport, especially buses, I think it will greatly reduce the situation of traffic jams that last for hours on the roads," Ms. Lan said.

“The trend of traveling by bus is gradually becoming a reasonable choice in the context of increasingly overloaded city traffic. In my opinion, people with fixed time and place of work should take the bus. Because buses are clean, reduce noise and dust, and save costs. In particular, electric buses are even better because they run smoothly, do not cause pollution, and are on time. I am over 60 years old and I get free bus tickets,” said Mr. Trinh Van Dung, in Thanh My Tay ward.

Prices are posted on the buses.

System to evaluate and give feedback on bus passenger satisfaction using QR code scanning.

Not only people in Ho Chi Minh City, many passengers in neighboring localities such as Dong Nai and Tay Ninh are also starting to get used to these public transports. Ms. Thanh Tuyen, Bien Hoa ward (Dong Nai) shared that every week when traveling to Ho Chi Minh City for work, she chooses Phuong Trang electric bus to go.

“Compared to the old buses, I find the new buses very professional. Payment methods are flexible, you can use the app or scan the QR code, and there is wifi on the bus so I can work directly on the phone. In the coming time, transport units should rearrange travel routes to make them more convenient, with good connections between routes so that people can easily travel between central and suburban areas. If the bus network is well-covered and has reasonable transfer routes, many people will definitely choose to take the bus instead of private vehicles,” said Ms. Tuyen.

Most of Phuong Trang Company's public buses are equipped with modern equipment, along with professional service style.

For students, buses are not only an economical means of transportation but also help reduce emissions into the environment. Vo Ngoc Nhu Quynh, a student at Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry, shared: “Taking the bus helps me save money and is much safer than riding a motorbike. I feel comfortable because I don’t have to jostle in the crowded traffic every morning.”

Nhu Quynh also said that the new electric buses have airy interiors, comfortable seats, and are fully equipped with wifi. The drivers and staff are very friendly and willing to help passengers, especially students. "I hope the City will open more subsidized routes so that students can have safe and economical means of transportation," Nhu Quynh suggested.

Towards a sustainable green city

Currently, Ho Chi Minh City's bus system has 176 routes (108 subsidized routes) with a total of 2,386 vehicles, including 627 electric buses (accounting for 26.3%) and 451 CNG buses (accounting for 17.9%).

Electric buses are invested and equipped with modern facilities to meet the travel needs of Ho Chi Minh City residents.

According to the plan, in the period of 2025 - 2030, the City will invest in and convert 3,011 electric buses, green energy, including 1,537 buses to replace old vehicles and 1,474 new buses. Combined with the number of existing electric buses, by 2030, Ho Chi Minh City will operate more than 3,600 electric buses on 297 routes, aiming for 100% of buses to use electricity or green energy.

Mr. Tieu Van Chi, a driver with more than 5 years of experience driving long-distance routes for Phuong Trang, said that from December 2024, he switched to driving electric buses. “For us drivers, the most important thing is the safety of everyone on the bus. When participating in traffic, I always comply with the prescribed speed, keep a safe distance from other vehicles, and carefully observe the situation on the road to handle it promptly. I find that electric buses operate smoothly, and the modern braking and control systems help us drivers control better and limit collisions on the road,” Mr. Chi shared.

Bus drivers are professionally trained from safe driving skills to friendly service.

Nguyen Thi Kim Chi, a service staff on the electric bus route of Phuong Trang Company, is always friendly with passengers.

According to Mr. Chi, the company also regularly organizes training courses on safe driving skills, communication skills and passenger behavior. Each driver is reminded about service attitude, because just one lack of restraint or inappropriate words can affect the overall image of the bus company. "I feel very happy because passengers now trust and support buses much more than before," Mr. Chi happily said.

Changing the habit of traveling by personal vehicles to electric buses not only helps reduce traffic congestion but also shows a change in people's awareness of environmental protection. "We cannot reduce the city's environmental pollution overnight, but if each person changes a little and chooses buses instead of motorbikes, Ho Chi Minh City will be different," said Mr. Chi.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/xa-hoi/nguoi-dan-tp-ho-chi-minh-thay-doi-thoi-quen-di-chuyen-bang-xe-bust-dien-20251106143359840.htm