Hanoi free bus fare inside Ring Road 1 hit by payment glitches and staff dispute

Starting 1 July, Hanoi began offering free bus rides for trips that start and end inside the Ring Road 1 beltway. Riders must use the city’s electronic travel card; if a passenger boards and alights within the zone, the fare is automatically waived and any deducted amount is later refunded to the card account. In the first days, some commuters reported still being charged and receiving refunds at varying speeds.

A separate incident on route 27 highlighted operational problems. A scanner malfunction prevented the card reader from recognising a valid e‑ticket, and the bus assistant refused the passenger’s pass, demanding a single‑fare ticket and threatening to force the rider off the bus. The Transport Management Centre confirmed the passenger’s card was legitimate, labelled the staff’s response “inflexible”, and ordered a formal report and corrective action. The city plans to monitor online feedback and enforce stricter supervision.

The free‑fare scheme covers 45 bus lines inside Ring Road 1 and is part of a pilot low‑emission program aimed at improving air quality and promoting public transport. Paper monthly tickets are no longer accepted on these subsidised routes.