Additional trains and buses will be operated during the upcoming holidays on the Independence Day, September 2. VNA/VNS Photo Hoàng Hải

HCM CITY — Transport companies in HCM City and Hà Nội plan to increase the number of trains and buses to cope with the rush expected during the long Independence Day weekend next month.

Đỗ Quang Văn, director of the Sài Gòn Railways Transport Joint Stock Company, said the company would operate an additional 35 trains with nearly 17,000 seats between HCM City and Phan Thiết, Nha Trang, Quy Nhơn, and Đà Nẵng cities and Quảng Ngãi Province between August 29 and September 2.

If they do not meet demand, more trains would be operated, he said.

In the north, Việt Nam Railways would operate an extra 18 trains between Hà Nội and Đà Nẵng, Vinh, Đồng Hới, and Lào Cai.  

Buses

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy, deputy general director of HCM City’s Eastern Bus Station, said the number of passengers is expected to increase by 2 per cent from last year.

The number of passengers at the Western Bus Station is expected to increase by 2-4 per cent, with 58,000-60,000 people travelling from the station on each of August 30 and 31.

Transport operators will not be allowed to increase fares by more than 40 per cent.

Việt Nam Railways will offer the normal discounts for students, Trade Union members, people eligible for the Government’s preferential policies, and groups of more than 20.

The Hà Nội Transport Service Company has sought the Department of Transport’s approval for operating 300 additional buses.

At Giáp Bát Bus Station, 115 more buses will ply to the northern provinces of Thanh Hóa, Thái Bình, Nam Định, and Ninh Bình.

From the Gia Lâm Bus Station, 45 additional buses will go to Quảng Ninh Province and Hải Phòng City and 140 to Lào Cai, Yên Bái and Phú Thọ also in the north.

Traffic safety

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has instructed relevant agencies, the National Traffic Safety Committee and people’s committees of provinces and cities to check bus, train and boat stations to ensure safety.  

He also ordered transport companies to operate vehicles punctually and not increase fares illegally.

Independence Day, September 2, falls on a Monday this year. VNS