The new payment method is available on 30 bus routes with over 600 vehicles operated by Viet Thang, Bao Yen, Citranco, Saigonbus, and Van Tai 26. Passengers can use Napas cards issued by 28 banks, or phones and smartwatches integrated with Napas digitized cards to pay directly on card readers installed on the buses.

Several banks have implemented Napas card digitization, allowing for contactless bus fare payment. Photo: Napas

Several banks have implemented Napas card digitization, allowing for contactless bus fare payment. Photo: Napas

Napas previously launched this service on the Vinbus electric bus system in 2021 and later expanded it to Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien). Expanding to traditional buses demonstrates Napas's efforts to build a synchronized and seamless payment ecosystem while promoting the digital transformation of public transport in Ho Chi Minh City.

Nguyen Dang Hung, Napas Deputy General Director, stated that with over 80 million Napas cards in circulation, contactless payment will save people time and the hassle of queuing to buy tickets or using cash, allowing for faster, safer, and more convenient travel.

"This is a crucial step in building a modern and transparent transportation infrastructure, contributing to the development of smart cities and a cashless society in Vietnam, in line with global development trends," Hung emphasized.

Ho Chi Minh City currently has 138 bus routes. Photo: Napas

Ho Chi Minh City currently has 138 bus routes. Photo: Napas

According to Le Hoan, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Public Transport Management Center, thanks to the active collaboration of relevant units, the cashless payment system has been implemented on 96 bus routes with 1,456 vehicles in Ho Chi Minh City.

In the next phase, Ho Chi Minh City plans to synchronize the automatic ticketing system on all 138 routes, approximately 2,221 vehicles, contributing to the completion of the city's public transport digitalization roadmap.

"Contactless payment will enhance the passenger experience, encourage the use of public transport, thereby reducing private vehicle traffic and moving towards a sustainable transport system," Le Hoan shared.

Currently, 28 banks are participating in this service: Sacombank, BIDV, Agribank, TPBank, SHB, BVBank, VietBank, SeABank, NamABank, Vietcombank, Wooribank, Techcombank, VIB, NCB, VietABank, BaoViet Bank, PBVN, Kienlongbank, Saigonbank, BacABank, Eximbank, MB, ACB, OCB, Vietinbank, Vikki, HDBank, and Timo by BVBank.

Pham Duc Duy, Sacombank's Deputy Director of the Retail Banking Division, stated that this project is the next step in their strategy to expand the digital payment ecosystem in the transportation sector, providing a seamless, safe, and economical experience for customers.

Representatives of the involved parties emphasized that this collaboration not only creates convenience for citizens but also contributes to promoting national digital transformation, bringing Vietnam closer to the goal of a cashless society and smart cities.

Minh Ngoc