HCMC – HCMC will offer free rides to all passengers on Metro Line No.1, also known as Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien, for the first 30 days of its commercial operation.
The HCMC People’s Council this morning, December 11, approved a resolution on support policy for public transport users and provide funding for public passenger transport operations by bus and metro.
Starting January 1, 2025, HCMC will cover 100% of the fares for passengers on the Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro line during its first 30 days of commercial operation. The city will also offer free rides on bus routes connecting to the first urban rail line of the city.
According to the HCMC People’s Committee, the free service for all passengers during the initial operating period aims to create conditions for people to experience urban rail transportation, encourage, and develop the habit of using public transportation instead of private vehicles.
The city is expected to spend around VND43.3 billion annually to support fare reductions for buses and trains, with VND33.1 billion allocated for the first month of operation.
Earlier, the city announced the fares for the first metro line, including single-trip and time-based tickets. Single-trip fares range from VND7,000 to VND20,000 per trip, depending on the distance, with a VND1,000 discount per trip for cashless payments.
The one-day ticket is priced at VND40,000 per person, while the three-day ticket costs VND90,000 per person. The monthly fare for regular passengers is VND300,000, while students receive a 50% discount on the fare.
The operation of the metro line is expected to officially begin on December 22.
