‘Sold out’ of short-distance bus tickets from Ho Chi Minh City to the province during the holiday April 30-May 1

According to forecasts of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport, because this year’s April 30-May 1 holiday lasts longer than the same period last year, travel demand at interprovincial bus stations will increase.

Specifically, on average each day there will be more than 64,000 passengers traveling with more than 3,000 bus trips, an increase of 26% in passenger numbers compared to the same period last year.

Many bus companies have sold out of tickets to Nha Trang, Da Lat…

Currently, the demand for people to travel by short-distance bus to the West, Central Highlands and Central region is increasing. Among them, some tourist destinations such as Da Lat, Nha Trang, Phan Thiet… show signs of scarcity of bus tickets.

Ms. Tran Thuy Trang (from Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa) said that in the past two days, she contacted many bus companies to ask to buy tickets to return home on July 26 and 27, but all received the answer “no seats left”. A few bus companies have tickets but do not allow seat selection.

“Because I want to return with my whole family and have small children, I have to choose a reasonable place to sleep. However, most cars are out of space, and if there is any left, they have to stay in the back of the car or on the upper floor, which is very inconvenient.

Therefore, my family chose to stay in Ho Chi Minh City for the holidays and not go back to my hometown anymore” – Ms. Trang shared.

When the reporter went to the app of Phuong Trang Passenger Car Joint Stock Company – a large passenger transport enterprise in the South – tried to order a ticket from Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang City on April 27. The results show that there is exactly 1 seat left, departing at 8:30 am from the new Mien Dong Bus Station and the destination is Hue Southern Bus Station, ticket price 420,000 VND. Meanwhile, on April 26 and 28, the number of tickets is still very limited.

Similarly, the Ho Chi Minh City – Phan Thiet route on April 27 also has only 2 flights left, each trip has 1 seat left. For April 26 and 28, the flights are also almost fully booked.

A representative of Phuong Trang Passenger Car Joint Stock Company said that during some peak holiday days, the routes to the Western, Central Highlands and Central provinces operated by the company were relatively full due to increased travel demand. High. With demand on some routes exceeding current operating capacity, the company is proactively planning to increase vehicles.

Due to the increase in passenger numbers, the company has adjusted fares on some routes to ensure compensation for the cost of turning around without passengers in the vehicle, in order to increase passenger clearance.

Ticket prices increase no more than 40%

Two days before the holiday of April 30 – May 1, Mien Dong Bus Station (Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City) was not too crowded but the cars were fully parked, ready to serve customers returning home or traveling.

Walking around the ticket counters, many bus companies said that there were only tickets left for the day and a few tickets for tomorrow, especially tickets for April 26 and 27 were sold out.

Mr. Do Phu Dat – Deputy Director of Mien Dong bus station (Binh Thanh district) said that the number of passengers passing through the station is estimated to reach more than 56,000 during the 5 holidays. The two peak days where bus companies are allowed to increase ticket prices by a maximum of 40% include April 26 with about 17,000 passengers and July 27 with more than 16,000 passengers.

Similarly, Mien Tay Bus Station forecasts that vehicle output will increase by more than 14% and passengers will increase by more than 34% compared to the same period in 2023, peak day being April 27. Passenger departures can reach 61,300 passengers/day and the number of vehicles departing 2,100 vehicles/day. Compared to normal days, passenger output increased by more than 120% and vehicle output increased by more than 64%.

On April 26 and 27, bus companies are allowed to increase ticket prices by no more than 40% to compensate for empty routes.

The new Mien Dong Bus Station forecasts that the number of passengers passing through the station will only increase slightly compared to normal days and mainly focus on short routes, from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City. During the 5-day break, the wharf served nearly 38,000 passengers. The peak days are April 26 and April 27, reaching about 8,000 visitors.

This bus station has planned to adjust, concentrate, and serve key routes, avoiding congestion and passenger congestion. In case the number of passengers increases, exceeding forecasts and transport capacity, the unit will proactively coordinate and mobilize the maximum number of vehicles to relieve passengers.

Previously, to ensure people’s travel needs and traffic order and safety during the holidays of April 30 and May 1, Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport – Mr. Vo Khanh Hung assigned the Department Inspectorate to coordinate with traffic police, local police and other authorities to check compliance with regulations on ensuring traffic safety in road transport business and parking lots. . Units strengthen inspection and handling of violations of traffic safety corridors to ensure traffic safety, security and order in the station area and around the bus station; Resolutely suspend the operation of illegal parking stations and parking lots, vehicles that do not meet technical safety standards, and carry more than the prescribed number of people; Handle properly to avoid price suppression or taking advantage of illegal price increases. The Public Transport Management Center also adjusted the driving chart on bus routes to amusement parks, fairs, bus stations, Saigon railway station, Tan Son Nhat airport… to ensure good service to customers. travel bridge for people.

Cars lined up waiting to be registered before the April 30-May 1 holidayThe registration situation in Ho Chi Minh City is getting “hot” as people flock to bring their vehicles for inspection to prepare for the April 30-May 1 holiday. Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport requests inspection units to come up with plans to prevent congestion.