Ho Chi Minh City launches 100% free bus fares on 135 routes

The Ho Chi Minh City People's Council approved a policy to subsidise 100% of bus fares on 135 intra‑city routes, beginning July 2026. The two‑phase plan provides fully free rides without identity verification from July to September, followed by a mandatory electronic ticketing system from October using IDs, bank cards or e‑wallets. The city will allocate roughly VND 665 billion for the programme, with VND 454 billion covering 109 state‑funded routes and VND 211 billion for 26 financially autonomous routes. The measure aims to lower commuting costs, encourage public‑transport use, reduce traffic congestion, accidents and pollution, and promote cash‑less payments. Officials say the policy will be financed from the municipal budget and reimbursed to operators based on actual trips recorded by electronic ticketing.