Opening of 17 electric bus routes connecting metro stations No. 1

17 bus routes connecting metro line 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien) are expected to attract more people, especially when the city's first urban railway line is put into operation.

On December 20, the Public Transport Management Center (HCMC Department of Transport) coordinated with Phuong Trang Passenger Transport Joint Stock Company - FUTA Bus Lines to organize the opening ceremony of 17 bus routes connecting metro line 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien).

150 electric buses are ready to serve people's travel and connect to metro line 1.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Da Thao, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Public Transport Management Center, said that 17 electric bus routes are designed to connect directly with metro stations No. 1, helping people easily move between urban and suburban areas.

These bus routes also reach many important locations such as residential areas, schools, commercial centers and industrial zones, contributing to increasing the coverage of the city bus network.

In particular, 17 routes have their own unique identity for easy recognition by people, with the electric bus design having 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 on the front and back of the vehicle. In addition, the sunflower motif and the words "electric bus" are for easy identification.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Da Thao, Director of Ho Chi Minh City Public Transport Management Center spoke at the ceremony.

"The electric buses operate on 17 routes, including 150 newly invested electric buses, with a capacity of 30 and 60 seats, most of which are compact in size and can enter small roads. The buses are equipped with many utilities such as cameras, GPS, free wifi, automatic station notification devices, cashless payment systems...", Ms. Thao said.

According to Ms. Thao, in the first 30 days when metro line 1 officially operates, passengers using these 17 bus routes will be exempted from ticket fees, synchronized with metro line 1. The electric bus routes operate from 5 am to 10 pm according to the operating hours of metro line 1, with a trip interval of 8 - 20 minutes per trip.

Along the metro lines, the Public Transport Management Center has also completed and put into use 5 two-wheeled vehicle parking lots for people in the areas of Van Thanh, Thao Dien, Rach Chiec, Phuoc Long, Binh Thai stations with a total capacity of more than 2,000 vehicles.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Da Thao handed over the decision to operate 17 electric bus routes to Mr. Dao Viet Anh, Deputy General Director of Futa Group.

To enhance the connection of public passenger transport with metro line 1, in addition to the above bus system, there are other means of transport directly connected at the station areas such as: public bicycles, electric vehicles (four-wheeled vehicles running on electric energy), taxis, four-wheeled and two-wheeled technology vehicles to increase convenience for people and passengers when using metro line 1.

Mr. Tran Quang Lam, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport, shared that Ho Chi Minh City is a megacity with a high population density, so to solve the traffic problem, it is necessary to develop public transport.

The operation of 17 electric bus routes is part of Ho Chi Minh City's orientation to convert vehicles to use green energy. Accordingly, by 2030, all buses in the city will be converted to green buses. In the coming time, the Department of Transport will study and submit to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council policies to develop electric buses more quickly, including investing in charging stations, investment mechanisms, loan support, and supporting businesses to convert current diesel buses to electric buses on the entire network.

Delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate 17 electric bus routes.

Mr. Lam commented that in order for the 17 electric bus routes connecting Metro Line 1 to operate effectively as expected, there must be more efforts from many sides, especially the cooperation and support of the people. According to Mr. Lam, public transport is a public service, so creating satisfaction for the people must start with the service staff. Enthusiasm, civility, politeness, and safety are important factors, contributing to building a modern and friendly traffic culture.

Mr. Lam hopes that with the city's efforts in developing public transport, people will have more convenience in traveling; especially attracting and bringing people to public transport more to reduce the use of personal vehicles. Thereby, helping to reduce traffic jams, congestion and environmental pollution...

Regarding the winning bidder to operate 17 electric bus routes, Mr. Dao Viet Anh, Deputy General Director of Futa Group, said that Phuong Trang Passenger Transport Joint Stock Company - FUTA Bus Lines is very determined in the green public transport trend, aiming to minimize environmental impact and improve the quality of public passenger transport.

Electric buses are equipped with many utilities such as cameras, GPS, free wifi, automatic station announcement devices, cashless payment systems...

The operation of 17 subsidized electric bus routes in Ho Chi Minh City will help people have more options for high-quality transportation services; the direct connection to Metro Line 1 also promises to improve the efficiency of public transportation, while bringing outstanding convenience, contributing to building a modern and sustainable urban area for Ho Chi Minh City residents.

According to Mr. Anh, the unit has invested in a modern and systematic charging station system, ensuring the electric bus route operates stably, optimizes costs, and minimizes the burden of subsidies from the state budget.

"The opening of 17 pure electric bus routes this time not only marks an important milestone in the city's public transport development journey, but also affirms Phuong Trang Company's strong commitment to accompanying the Ho Chi Minh City government to promote a green, sustainable and environmentally friendly transport future," Mr. Anh affirmed.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport has agreed with the proposal of the Public Transport Management Center on the official operation time of 17 electric bus routes. Accordingly, from 9:30 a.m. on December 22, 17 electric bus routes will operate, transporting people and connecting stations of Metro Line 1.

17 newly opened electric bus routes are subsidized, with free tickets for passengers who are children under 1.3m tall, war invalids and sick soldiers (with war invalids and sick soldiers cards), people with disabilities (with free bus passes), the elderly (with documents proving they are 70 years old or older) and people with free bus passes issued by competent authorities.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/khai-truong-17-tuyen-xe-bust-dien-ket-noi-cac-nha-ga-metro-so-1-192241220122114581.htm