Public transportation in Saigon may not be glamorous but it's about to get a little more convenient for local residents. From October 1, Saigon will launch two new bus routes, connecting both District 2 and Tan Son Nhat International Airport with the downtown area.
According to the Communist Party of Vietnam's online newspaper, brand new bus route 35 will travel from District 2's Thao Dien neighborhood through Thu Thiem Tunnel to Vo Van Kiet Street in District 1. This is the first public transportation route to travel through the tunnel, the city's Department of Transport announced.
A 40-seat bus will ply the 16-kilometer route 120 times a day from 5:50am to 8pm, aiming to reduce traffic congestion over Saigon Bridge.
Elsewhere in the city, another new route from Tan Son Nhat International Airport will depart from the international terminal and make its final stop at 23-9 Park near Ben Thanh Market, according to Dan Tri.
Though the 152 bus already runs from District 7's Trung Son neighborhood past Ben Thanh Market and up to the airport, city officials point out that this route has been in operation for 10 years already and still fails to attract many riders. Instead, the new route – which will also feature brand new, air-conditioned 63-seater buses – spans 10.4 kilometers and runs from 5:45am to 6:25pm.
