Free bus tickets boost ridership in HCM City, supporting greener mobility

While the early figures suggest the policy is attracting new users, transport officials and experts said sustained service quality, not free tickets alone, would determine whether commuters make a lasting shift from private vehicles to public transport.

Ridership jumps as free-fare policy takes effect

Ho Chi Minh City has recorded a sharp increase in bus ridership during the first week of its free-fare programme, signaling strong public interest in the city’s latest effort to encourage greater use of public transport.

According to the city’s Public Transport Management Centre, more than 1.6 million passenger trips were recorded on 134 subsidised bus routes between July 1 and 6, up approximately 33% compared with the same period in 2025.

Passenger numbers increased steadily throughout the week. On July 6 alone, the network carried 281,721 passengers, representing a 163% year on year increase, the highest daily growth recorded since the policy was introduced.

Transport officials attributed the surge to the removal of travel costs, extensive media coverage and growing public awareness of the scheme, which is intended to encourage residents to choose buses over private vehicles.

Initial success must translate into lasting travel habits

Despite the encouraging figures, officials cautioned that the first week's performance reflects initial public interest rather than a permanent shift in travel behavior. The long-term success of the policy, they said, would depend on whether commuters continue using buses after free fares are no longer the primary incentive.

Early implementation has also exposed several operational challenges. At a review meeting on July 7, transport operators reported that many passengers were still unfamiliar with the new passenger identification procedures required when boarding buses. During peak hours, the sharp increase in passenger numbers made it difficult for attendants to assist everyone, while some drivers had to provide instructions themselves.

Operators described these issues as temporary adjustments during the transition period and said they would continue public awareness campaigns and passenger guidance to streamline boarding procedures and improve service efficiency.

Service quality seen as key to retaining passengers

Speaking at the review meeting, Pham Ngoc Dung, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Public Transport Management Centre, instructed operators to maintain the system's on-time departure rate which has consistently exceeded 99% in recent years, and ensure that service quality is not compromised during the free-fare programme.

He also stressed that charging passengers any fees on routes covered by the free-fare policy would violate regulations and would be dealt with strictly. Operators were instructed to prepare standby vehicles to meet rising demand and continue placing passenger needs at the centre of service delivery.

Transport officials said the fare waiver provides an effective opportunity for residents to experience public transport and reconsider their travel choices. However, whether those passengers remain on buses would depend less on ticket prices than on broader factors such as service frequency, waiting times, route connectivity, vehicle quality, customer service and overall convenience.

Although it remains too early to assess the policy’s long-term effectiveness, the sharp increase in ridership during its first week suggests that the policy has generated positive momentum and could become an important step toward encouraging more sustainable urban mobility in the country’s largest city.

HCM City to launch pink open-top double-decker sightseeing bus route on July 4

VOV.VN - Ho Chi Minh City will officially introduce the DL06 non-subsidised open-top double-decker sightseeing bus route on July 4, connecting the city centre with the Binh Trung area.