In recent days, domestic gasoline and oil prices have increased sharply, putting pressure on the operating costs of transport businesses.
Many bus companies in Hanoi are choosing flexible solutions to save costs and maintain service for people's travel needs.
In the early days of March, reporters recorded in the Giap Bat bus station area (Hanoi), many bus companies said that they still maintain the same ticket price to avoid creating additional spending pressure for passengers, and at the same time find ways to optimize operating costs.
According to transport businesses, fuel accounts for a large proportion of total operating costs. When gasoline and oil prices increase sharply in a short time, vehicle fleet operating costs also increase, causing profits to shrink significantly.
Mr. Nguyen Xuan Bach - manager of Hao Huong bus company's office at Giap Bat bus station - said that the Hanoi - Thanh Hoa route currently maintains a price of 200,000 VND/ticket and continues to serve shuttle passengers. However, under pressure from rising fuel prices, the bus company is forced to adjust the number of trips per day.
Currently, my bus company has reduced about 40-50% of trips compared to the time when gasoline and oil prices had not increased. This is a solution to balance costs while maintaining passenger service operations," Mr. Bach shared.
Similarly, Mr. Le Dung Anh - manager of Hai Ha bus company - said that the unit is operating two main bus lines including sleeper buses and limousines. The current ticket price is maintained at about 150,000 VND for sleeper buses and 200,000 VND for limousines.
The increase in fuel costs has caused the operating cost of the fleet to increase accordingly. However, for the time being, we will still maintain the ticket price and continue to monitor the developments of gasoline prices to have appropriate adjustment plans if necessary," said Mr. Dung Anh.
Not only long-distance routes, some short-distance transport routes are also starting to adjust bus frequency. Ms. Le Thi Lien - Head of Phuong Trang bus company branch in Hanoi - said that the Hanoi - Nam Dinh route currently maintains a price of about 100,000 VND/ticket. However, from this week, the bus company has started reviewing the number of passengers per trip to adjust the flight schedule.
We plan to cut about 20% of the number of trips to balance operating costs. However, the adjustment will be based on the actual needs of passengers, because most tickets are booked through the switchboard. If a trip has few pre-booked passengers, the bus company will proactively cut that trip," Ms. Lien said.
According to transport businesses, flexibly adjusting the number of trips is considered a temporary solution to adapt to fluctuations in input costs. In the coming time, units will continue to closely monitor gasoline and oil price movements as well as passenger travel needs to have appropriate operating plans.
Despite facing a lot of cost pressure, many bus companies still said that they will try to maintain stable ticket prices in the coming time. Optimizing schedules, reducing low-passenger trips and saving operating costs is expected to help businesses maintain operations, while ensuring that people's travel needs are not interrupted.
