HCM CITY — The HCM City Department of Transport said it would ensure the orderly flow of traffic during the New Year and Tết (Lunar New Year) holidays by strictly enforcing traffic regulations and inspecting interprovincial bus stations for illegal buses.

Traffic control will be strengthened near Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport, Cát Lái Port, Sài Gòn Railway, interprovincial bus stations, Thủ Thiêm Tunnel, ferries, and wharves during holidays.

The department has told enterprises that operate and manage BOT (build-operate-transfer) roads such as Hà Nội Expressway and An Sương-An Lạc road to ensure orderly traffic movement through toll booths and on roads.

Miền Tây (Western) Bus Station in HCM City is expected to see passengers increase by 60-70 per cent during the New Year holiday compared to normal days, to reach 48,000-50,000 passengers a day, according to Nguyễn Ngọc Thừa, general director of the station.

Bus fares will remain unchanged during the New Year holiday, Thừa said.

The station will begin selling Tết tickets from January 26 to February 10 with a fee 40-60 per cent higher than normal days.

"Miền Đông (Eastern) Bus Station forecasts a 2 per cent increase in the number of passengers during Tết holiday compared to the same period last year," said Kiều Nam Thanh, general director of the station.

The station will charge 20-60 per cent more for bus fares from January 28 to February 15.

The city’s Management and Operation Centre for Public Transport plans to add 1,205 bus trips on more than 20 routes for three days, starting from December 30.

The centre will work with transport enterprises to allocate more buses in case of sudden demand. — VNS