Queuing to receive cards, happy because "one card - many vehicles
Lao Dong Newspaper recorded on August 20 at Saigon Bus Station, the number of people coming to receive public transport cards was quite large. People lined up orderly, guided by staff and volunteers, and looked up the list before entering to receive the cards.
Along with returning cards, the card issuing counter also receives registration dossiers of eligible passengers.
Mr. Truong Van Hoc (Ban Co ward) said that he registered cards online for the couple from August 5. After the application was approved, the family waited for their names on the card issuance list before receiving them.
According to Mr. Hoc, the card receiving process is quite fast. After checking the list, people lined up according to instructions and received the card in about 10 minutes.
I am very excited to receive the card. A card that can travel with many vehicles is too good," Mr. Hoc said.
Mr. Hoc currently uses public transport about 3-4 days/week. From Cach Mang Thang 8 street, he takes the bus to Saigon Bus Station and then switches to the metro to go to Thu Duc. With a combined bus and metro card, he said he will increase the frequency of use.
Ms. Phan Thieu Anh (70 years old, Dien Hong ward) went with her sister by bus to receive the card. Holding the public transport card in her hand, she said she was very happy and impressed with the green color of the card.
“Previously, I took bus route 27 from home to Ben Thanh market, recently I have taken more buses. Buses now have changed a lot better than before. The card is firm to hold, has a friendly blue color, very beautiful,” Ms. Thieu Anh shared.
What surprised her was that the card could not only be used when taking the bus but also for the metro. According to her, a card used for multiple vehicles would be more convenient, especially for the elderly.
To avoid having to bring cumbersome papers, and also to avoid losing them. Knowing that this card can be used for the whole metro, I will definitely take the metro. The important thing now is that the city must continue to do well, be punctual, polite, and civilized, to keep passengers safe to take the bus and promote travel by other public transport," Ms. Anh said.
Nearly 20,000 applications for card issuance
Talking to a reporter from Lao Dong Newspaper, the Ho Chi Minh City Public Transport Center said that as of August 19, it had received 19,165 applications for public transport card issuance, including 11,901 online registration applications and 7,264 applications submitted directly.
The Center has printed 3,711 cards to issue to people. On August 19, 336 cards were returned at Saigon Bus Station, bringing the total number of returned cards to 738 cards.
The Center notes that people named in the card issuance list need to check their information before receiving it, to avoid wasting travel time when the card is not yet available during the issuance period. Card repayment is carried out from Monday to Sunday, during office hours.
In case of receiving on behalf, relatives need to bring their ID card/CCCD, related personal papers or appointment slips.
The center said it is speeding up the process of printing and returning cards to people as soon as possible.
Once they have a card, people expect to use public transport more conveniently, with a good connection network between buses and the metro, thereby encouraging people to use public transport more often.
