Ho Chi Minh City will offer free public transport services on 15/3, election day for National Assembly deputies of the 16th tenure and People's Council members at all levels for the 2026-2031 term. This initiative aims to facilitate citizens' travel to polling stations while encouraging the use of public transport.

The free services will apply to the entire Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro line, the city's first metro route, as well as 118 bus routes. According to the Public Transport Management Center (Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction), this includes all 109 subsidized bus routes. Additionally, nine non-subsidized routes will also be free, including: 67, 109, 171, 172, 60-1, 60-3, 60-5, 60-7, and 63-1.

Residents using Metro Line 1. Photo: Quynh Tran

To ensure smooth and safe operations, transport operators are required to prepare sufficient vehicles and backup personnel. They will also enhance online monitoring. Routes and schedules will be updated on the MultiGo application and electronic boards at stops.

Ho Chi Minh City currently operates about 180 bus routes with over 2,300 vehicles. Public transport ridership has significantly increased since late 2024, when the Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro began operation. In response, the city has flexibly adjusted schedules and offered free tickets on certain holidays and major events.

The election on 15/3 is uniformly organized nationwide. Voters will elect 500 National Assembly deputies for the 16th tenure from 864 official candidates. In Ho Chi Minh City, there are 13 National Assembly electoral units with 64 candidates to elect 38 deputies. Furthermore, 42 People's Council electoral units have 208 candidates to elect 125 Ho Chi Minh City People's Council members for the 11th tenure.

Giang Anh