On 3/4, the Hanoi Department of Construction clarified that information about the city offering free bus rides for all residents is incorrect and has caused public misunderstanding. The city has not adopted this policy but has been implementing a fare waiver policy for mass public passenger transportation for war invalids, people with disabilities, the elderly, children under six years old, and members of impoverished households.

Hanoi is urgently completing procedures to submit to the National Assembly for consideration and promulgation of a Resolution approving the amended Capital Law. Once the law takes effect, the city will specify its contents, including updating and supplementing policies to support and encourage residents to use public transportation to help reduce traffic congestion and environmental pollution.

Hanoi is implementing a policy to convert 100% of its bus fleet to green energy by 2030. Photo: Hoang Phong.

Hanoi currently waives fares for mass public passenger transportation under Resolution 07/2019 of the People's Council. In addition to groups eligible for free bus and metro rides, the city subsidizes 50% of monthly pass prices for students and workers in industrial zones. It also subsidizes 30% of monthly pass prices for officials and employees in public offices and businesses outside industrial zones who purchase passes collectively. Furthermore, the city offers 100% fare support for the first 15 days from the commencement of commercial operation of urban railway lines.

Bus and metro users receive appropriate fare subsidies from the city budget. Currently, the city allocates thousands of billions of Vietnamese dong annually from its budget to subsidize buses. This increased from an average of 1,370 billion VND per year during the 2015-2019 period to 2,750 billion VND in 2023.

Hanoi currently operates 154 bus routes: 132 subsidized routes, eight non-subsidized routes, 12 adjacent routes, and two city tour routes, covering most of the city's 126 communes and wards. For metro services, two lines are operational: Cat Linh - Ha Dong and the elevated section of the Nhon - Hanoi Station line (from Hanoi University of Industry to University of Transport and Communications).

Previously, on 1/4, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, Tran Luu Quang, stated that the city would offer free fares on over 100 intra-provincial bus routes. Ho Chi Minh City is also planning to supplement infrastructure and increase operational frequency to meet anticipated higher demand once the policy is implemented.

Vo Hai