HCMC – Free commuter bus service for residents in HCMC could begin in May pending approval by the People’s Council of the city.
The Department of Construction has proposed fast tracking a resolution to waive bus fares in the city. If approved at the April council meeting, the policy could take effect as early as next month.
Under the proposal, the policy would apply to 135 commuter bus routes in the city, with 109 of them subsidized and 26 others non-subsidized, excluding 18 airport transfer routes, five double-decker routes and 22 interprovincial services.
The total estimated cost of implementing free fares for the remaining eight months of 2026 is about VND930 billion, to be funded from the city budget.
Of this, around VND627 billion is allocated for subsidized routes and VND303 billion for non-subsidized routes. The estimate is based on the current price of diesel oil at VND40,820 per liter.
The plan to waive bus fares was raised by HCMC Party Secretary Tran Luu Quang at an April 1 meeting, aiming to reduce travel costs and encourage greater use of public transport to ease congestion and pollution.
If implemented, it would mark the first time all city residents can use buses free of charge, expanding beyond the current policy that applies only to certain groups.
After expanding its administrative boundaries, HCMC has around 180 bus routes, including both intra-provincial and interprovincial services, with more than 2,400 buses, nearly half of which are electric.
The city currently offers free bus fares to several groups, including people aged 60 and above, children under six, people with meritorious service and people with disabilities, while most routes are subsidized to support residents and maintain operations.
