The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction has just sent a document to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee regarding receiving socialized funding to support passengers using Metro Line 1 and the bus system on major holidays.
A business proposed to sponsor a total of 7.5 billion VND, including 6 billion VND to support passengers traveling on Metro Line 1 and 1.5 billion VND for buses.
The three expected timelines for program implementation include July 2, 2026 (the 50th anniversary of the City named after Uncle Ho), September 2, 2026 (National Day) and January 1, 2027 (New Year's Day).
The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction said that in the past time, the city has repeatedly implemented programs to exempt 100% of Metro No. 1 and bus fares from socialized funds on holidays, Tet and special events. These programs not only create conditions for people to access and experience public transport services but also contribute to changing travel habits and reducing dependence on personal vehicles.
According to the assessment of the Department of Construction, previous toll exemptions have brought positive effects. The number of passengers traveling on Metro Line 1 and buses has increased significantly compared to normal days, thereby improving the operational efficiency of the public transport system and increasing people's awareness of green traffic types.
From the achieved results, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction expressed its support for the business's sponsorship proposal. This agency believes that continuing to support people to travel on Metro Line 1 and buses on major holidays will contribute to spreading the habit of using public transport even more strongly, reducing personal vehicles and promoting the transition to green transportation.
For Metro Line 1, the organization of implementation, acceptance and payment of sponsored funds will be carried out according to the agreement between the sponsoring unit, the metro line operating unit and with the control of the Ho Chi Minh City Public Transport Management Center, similar to previous programs.
Regarding buses, the Department of Construction said that Ho Chi Minh City is completing the City People's Council's resolution on supporting people to use public passenger transport services by bus. According to the plan, after the resolution is approved, bus passengers will be supported 100% of their fares from the city budget.
Therefore, the 1.5 billion VND budget that the enterprise plans to sponsor to exempt bus tickets will be adjusted to a more appropriate form. The Department of Construction proposes to use this funding source to sponsor products, gifts or communication, promotion and customer care activities.
The Public Transport Management Center will receive and implement promotional programs to thank passengers to encourage people to use buses and public transport vehicles, thereby ensuring the effectiveness of funding sources as well as in accordance with the city's policy of exempting bus fares in the coming time.
