City Moves to Make Public Transport Free for Millions

Vietnam is set to make bus travel free for all in Ho Chi Minh City, aiming to boost mobility, reduce costs for residents and expand access to public transport.

The plan, backed by city leadership, reflects a push to make transport more inclusive and efficient as demand grows across the urban network.

The proposal would remove fares across 135 bus routes, supported by annual funding of around $280 million. The system currently serves nearly 97 million passengers a year and is expected to see ridership rise by about 30%, with more than 2,100 buses in operation. Authorities also plan to increase service frequency, expand electric bus service, and use digital monitoring to manage demand, positioning the network for long-term, sustainable growth.