Close-up of electric buses serving metro line 1 arriving in Ho Chi Minh City

150 electric buses of 17 routes connecting metro stations No. 1 are present in Ho Chi Minh City, ready to operate to transport passengers when the metro line officially operates.

In preparation for the event of the first metro line of Ho Chi Minh City being put into operation on December 22, the Public Transport Management Center, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport has opened 17 new electric bus routes, collecting passengers from many areas through metro stations No. 1.

These 17 bus routes have a total of 150 buses, all of which run on electric power and are subsidized. On the afternoon of December 17, about 100 electric buses were gathered at the parking lot on National Highway 13, the remaining buses were gathered at the parking lot on Hanoi Highway. These are two parking lots equipped with electric charging stations built by Phuong Trang Futabuslines Passenger Transport Joint Stock Company (Futabuslines - the winning transport unit).

According to the record, the electric bus design has the main colors of blue and yellow. The exterior color of the vehicle is stylized into wavy lines; the route number and route name are displayed by LED lights in the front and back of the vehicle. In addition, the sunflower motif, a typical symbol of Thu Duc City, is decorated on both sides of the vehicle.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Da Thao, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Public Transport Management Center, said that in addition to 41 existing bus routes that can connect to Metro Line 1, 17 new electric bus routes are covered in many important locations such as residential areas, schools, commercial centers, industrial parks... connecting directly to metro stations, helping people easily move between urban and suburban areas.

17 new electric bus routes numbered 153 - 169, operating from 5am - 10pm daily, synchronized with the operating time of metro line 1.

Each bus is equipped with air conditioning, modern interiors and ensures hygiene. Currently, the team of drivers and flight attendants are ready for the opening day, promising to bring passengers a comfortable and convenient experience.

The car is equipped with many utilities such as camera, GPS, free wifi, automatic station notification device, cashless payment system...

Mr. Le Thanh Tuan, Head of the dispatching group, Phuong Trang Futabuslines Joint Stock Company, said that the unit is ready for the opening day, putting buses into service for passengers. Regarding personnel, the unit has just strengthened, recruited new staff and completed training over the past months, meeting job requirements.

"On December 20, we will organize the inauguration of the bus fleet. On November 21, it will officially operate, carrying passengers on 17 scheduled routes, ready for December 22, bringing passengers to metro stations quickly. In addition to serving passengers connecting to the metro, these bus routes also transport passengers to stations and terminals like regular buses," said Mr. Tuan.

In the beginning, Phuong Trang Company invested in two charging stations with 23 charging posts. Each charging post can charge 2 cars at the same time.

In the coming time, this unit will take advantage of existing infrastructure such as bus stations, rest stops, etc. to build additional battery charging stations to ensure fast and efficient charging for all pure electric buses, meeting the requirements of continuous operation.

The Ho Chi Minh City Public Transport Management Center said that people can look up routes on the Go!Bus app or the website buyttphcm.com.vn.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/can-canh-doan-xe-buyt-dien-phuc-vu-metro-so-1-cap-ben-tphcm-192241217190858423.htm