HCM CITY — HCM City’s much-delayed river bus service should be up and running later this month, according to local authorities.

But considering all the previous missed deadlines, no one knows if this latest claim is realistic.

The service, when it does open, will cover 10.8km from Bạch Đằng Wharf in District 1 to Linh Đông Station  in Thủ Đức District, passing through District 2 and Bình Thạnh District.

With 12 stops, a trip will take half an hour, a third shorter than the journey by road, and cost just VNĐ15,000 (US$0.66).

The river bus was originally slated to start running in the summer, but in August authorities said construction delays meant it could not open until October.

The transport department explained that since it is the first of its kind, it wants to make sure the service is as user-friendly and convenient as possible.

There have been two test runs.

Since the city has more than 1,000km of waterways, river bus services should help ease traffic and attract more tourists, said Bùi Xuân Cường, the director of the department.—VNS