Rising Fuel Costs Push Commuters to Public Transit

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Ho Chi Minh City is witnessing a significant shift from motorbikes to metro and buses as fuel prices surge amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro line saw ridership soar to nearly 70,000 trips per day in mid-March, a steep rise from about 52,000 daily trips in late 2022, according to Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway No. 1 Co. Ltd. (HURC1).

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The increase in public transport usage aligns closely with a series of emergency fuel price hikes starting in early March. RON95 gasoline reached VND30,690 (US$1.17) per liter on March 19, subsequently climbing to VND33,840 as global oil prices exceeded $100 per barrel. In an unusual move, Vietnam’s government made frequent price adjustments within days instead of the typical weekly review to mitigate the impact, heavily utilizing its fuel price stabilization fund.

With motorbikes being the predominant transportation mode, skyrocketing fuel costs have prompted many commuters to opt for public transit. Current combined metro and bus ridership averages 340,000 trips per day, marking a 35% increase from the end of February and 12% higher than a year ago, stated the Ho Chi Minh City Public Transport Management Center. The surge also coincided with the return of students after the Tet holidays, who crowd the metro especially in the university-rich district of Thu Duc.

The city is actively capitalizing on this shift by enhancing public transport options. Initiatives include offering free bus rides on Fridays for cashless transactions and extending fare waivers during public holidays and major events. Additionally, the city has introduced new electric buses, broadening payment methods to include e-wallets, bank cards, and mobile platforms.

The Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien line, the city’s first metro service, began operations in December 2024, spanning 19.7 km from the city center to the eastern gateway. It currently runs over 240 trips daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, extending to 11 p.m. on weekends. The bus network comprises 179 routes with over 2,300 vehicles, aiming for a fully clean bus network by 2030, reported VN Express.

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