Saigon has long neglected the potential of its waterways for public transportation, a trend that the city’s Department of Transportation hopes to reverse with river busses.
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The department has sent a proposal to the city’s People’s Committee for two river bus routes to be operated under the BOO (build-own-operate) model by next year, reports Vietnam Plus.
Routes would be operated along the Saigon River and on the Thanh Da, Ben Nghe and Tau Hu canals, covering Districts 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, and Thu Duc, according to Tuoi Tre.
The project’s investor, Thuong Nhat Ltd. Co, said that it will be responsible for building stations, other than the Bach Dang wharf where it would use existing facilities.
The plan calls for 10 boats, each with a capacity of at least 60 seats to be put into operation by 2020 at cost of US$5.2 million.
Tuoi Tre writes that ticket prices start at VND30,000 per ride, though many have suggested the price be lowered to VND10,000-VND15,000.
[Photo (for illustrative purposes) via Theo2]
