150 electric buses to serve HCMC’s first metro line
Ho Chi Minh City will launch 17 electric bus routes with 150 vehicles to connect key locations to the Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien Metro Line when it begins commercial operation on Dec. 22.
Operated by private firm Phuong Trang Futabuslines, the buses will serve routes numbered 153 to 169, with 30- and 60-seat electric vehicles. These routes will link residential areas, schools, commercial hubs, and transport stations to metro stops, offering seamless access for passengers.
To ensure stable operations, Phuong Trang has built two charging stations in Thu Duc City and will leverage existing infrastructure nationwide to expand the charging network.
Currently, HCMC’s public bus fleet includes over 2,000 vehicles, with nearly 550 electric and CNG buses.
Since 2022, five electric bus routes have been piloted, with the D4 route between Vinhomes Grand Park and Saigon Bus Station seeing increasing ridership and positive feedback.
HCMC plans to transition to fully electric or green-energy buses for all new investments by 2025, supporting the government’s green energy and emissions reduction goals.
The Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien, the city’s first metro project, spans 20 km from Ben Thanh in downtown District 1 to Long Binh Depot in Thu Duc City, with three underground and 11 elevated stations. Additional facilities, such as pedestrian bridges and parking lots, are being built at stations to improve accessibility.
By Gia Minh – VnExpress.net – December 4, 2024