Thuong Thanh Hai, deputy director of the Mien Dong Coach Station, said the number of passengers leaving daily for central and northern provinces would double in the last week before Lunar New Year’s Day to 50,000-60,000 while the volume of goods carried would also increase significantly.

Mien Dong, the country’s largest bus station, now operates 1,000 buses and vans a day.

To cope with the surge in demand before Tet, it will mobilize a further 2,300 vehicles from transport companies and co-operatives.

It has also deployed staff and information systems to guide passengers on trips and departure times.

Ta Thi My Hoa, who went to the station on Monday to take a bus to her hometown in the central province of Phu Yen, said the services and management were much improved.

“Passengers no longer have to jostle for tickets and the staff help them find their buses easily,” she said.

Mien Tay Coach Station and Cho Lon Coach Station are deploying an additional 1,000 buses and vans to the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta region.

The former will have around 2,400 vehicles running during the festival season.

The Department of Transport will have 100 more buses than usual travelling from the city to the Mien Tay Coach Station.

Le Hong Viet, deputy head of the department’s Inspectorate, said his office was working with the municipal traffic police to crack down on unlicensed coaches.

VNS