Many students find travel more convenient because the routes have been adjusted to connect to the metro line. «The bus stop to the metro station is right at the foot of my dormitory; I can step out and go immediately,» a student shared.
How have the routes been adjusted?
According to the Public Transport Management Center, starting from August 25, routes including 154, 157, 166, and 168 have been adjusted to better serve the travel needs of students and workers.
Among them, route 154 (Thanh My Loi – Masteri An Phu) now connects large apartment complexes such as CitiHome, The Sun Avenue, and Ho Chi Minh City University of Management and Technology (UMT), with 158 trips per day, spaced 10-15 minutes apart.
Route 157 (Van Thanh – Duc Khai Apartment) connects the Kim Cuong Island area and One Verandah, with 158 trips per day, spaced 10-15 minutes apart.
Route 166 (National University Metro Station – National University Area A) has reduced trip time to 20 minutes, with intervals of 8-15 minutes, serving students and tourists to Suoi Tien.
Route 168 (University of Technical Education – Binh Thai Intersection) has a new route serving students of Thu Duc College of Technology, Banking University (Thu Duc campus), and residential areas along Hoang Dieu 2 Street, with 158 trips per day and an operating time of 25 minutes.
A 51-year-old bus driver shared that since the bus routes changed, he has been interacting with more students and young people. In the first few days, students were on summer break, so the buses were quiet, with only a few passengers per route.
However, he said that he and the conductor always enthusiastically assist every passenger, no matter how small the need.
«We always do our best, serving passengers wholeheartedly. We hope that such bus trips help people conveniently access the metro, contributing to the country’s rapid green development,» he said.
Convenient for students, cost-saving for the elderly
On September 1, an experience on route 168 showed that while the bus was moving, a passenger was anxiously looking for a stop. The conductor quickly asked where she wanted to get off and kindly guided her.
Other passengers, including new students, were satisfied and felt more at ease experiencing these civilized bus routes.
Further observations included meeting Tuyet Lan, a Banking University student who had just boarded bus 168 to go to Thu Duc Metro Station. Previously, if she wanted to go to the metro station for work, she had to walk a distance to catch a bus, and sometimes got lost and had to walk further.
Now, with an electric bus taking her straight to the metro station right at her dormitory, Tuyet Lan was excited that as soon as she stepped into the yard, she could board the bus, reach the metro, and get to her destination.
On bus 154 (Thanh My Loi – Masteri An Phu), a student from the same school recounted that when she first enrolled, she insisted her mother send a motorbike from her hometown for convenient travel.
Now, with an electric bus right at the school, going anywhere is convenient, so she decided to choose the bus as her main means of transportation.
Mrs. Nguyen Thi Lan (56 years old, Thu Duc Ward) was also pleased because the new bus route passes by her house. From now on, whenever she goes to the metro, she can use the bus instead of spending tens of thousands on motorbike taxis.
«I see our city becoming more modern. Buses used to only run on main roads, but now they actively go deep into alleys, serving people’s needs. From now on, my grandchildren can also take the bus to school—it’s safe, saves money, and helps protect the environment,» she said.
