Saigon’s Ben Thanh bus terminal is the next city landmark slated for demolition in order to make way for District 1’s metro construction.
Last February, Saigoneers were saddened to bid adieu to the iconic Quach Thi Trang Square, which has since been fenced off. Recently, according to Tuoi Tre, city authorities announced that starting next Monday, the main structure of the Ben Thanh bus station will be torn down to accommodate the next phase of metro construction.
The newspaper added that the new station will be located on Ham Nghi Street, just 200 meters away from the original terminal. The new structure is expected to have six bus stops and a public bathroom. For the moment, passengers will have to make use of temporary facilities until construction of the new terminal begins this June.
Ben Thanh is one of Saigon’s busiest stations, serving 36 different bus routes and handling some 4,700 trips per day. The terminal’s management center told Tuoi Tre that bus operations will not be heavily affected by the relocation due to the proximity of the new station.
[Photo via Nomadic Photos]
