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| Metro Line 1 during trial operation in November 2024 (Photo: VnExpress) |
This proposal is detailed in a report recently submitted by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee to the City People's Council, requesting a resolution on policies to support bus and metro transportation services.
According to the plan, during the first 30 days of commercial operation of Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien), the city proposes free rides for all passengers on buses connecting to metro stations and on Metro Line 1 itself.
After this initial period, the city suggests offering free Metro Line 1 and public bus tickets to individuals with significant contributions to the revolution, people with disabilities, senior citizens, and children under six years old. The projected budget for this group is over VND44 billion annually.
Additionally, the city proposes financial support for businesses, cooperatives and public passenger transport providers operating buses and the metro. This support would cover the revenue shortfall between ticket sales and other approved revenue sources. The estimated annual subsidy is VND1.84 trillion for buses and VND383 billion for the metro.
The city government believes that offering free rides during the early operational phase of Metro Line 1 is appropriate. It aims to familiarize the public with the city’s first urban railway line.
This policy is also expected to encourage the public to adopt public transportation over private vehicles, especially for inner-city travel. Such a shift would contribute to reducing traffic congestion, easing gridlock and lowering emissions. Public transport operators would not face financial losses, as the government would subsidize the revenue shortfall.
Metro Line 1 is scheduled to launch on December 22, with ticket prices ranging from VND6,000 to 20,000 per trip. Monthly passes will cost VND300,000, with discounted rates of VND150,000 for students. Additionally, passengers can purchase unlimited one-day and three-day passes for VND40,000 and VND90,000, respectively./.