Bus fares to rise as holiday-time nears

HCM CITY — Bus fares at Mien Dong (East-bound) Bus Station in HCM City are expected to rise by 30 per cent during the National Day (Sept 2) holiday weekend.

Nguyen Ngoc Thua, general director of Mien Dong Bus Station, said the number of passengers at the station was expected to reach up to 90,000 passengers during the holiday period from August 31 to September 2, a surge of 50 per cent compared to normal days and 2 per cent compared to last year's holiday period.

Because National Day falls on a weekend this year, travel demand has risen, particularly for short – to medium-distance destinations from central Quang Ngai province to the south, including trips to the Central Highlands, to the west and to other tourist destinations, including Vung Tau, Da Lat, Nha Trang and Phan Thiet.

The bus station also plans to ask the Transport Department to increase the number of public buses for the holiday weekend.

The station has been working with local authorities to crack down on illegal buses at two illegal stations located at 391 and 397 Dinh Bo Linh street in Ward 26 in Binh Thanh District.

The number of passengers is expected to increase at Mien Tay (West-bound) Bus Station to more than 50,000 from August 31 to September 2.

Most passengers are planning to travel to Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta provinces or to Can Tho City in the south.

In a related issue, the Sai Gon Railway Station said it would increase the number of trains between HCM City and Nha Trang in the central province of Khanh Hoa to meet soaring demand during the holiday. — VNS