Public transport for workers: Bedrock of new urban development

In the process of building Dong Nai into a Class I urban center and Vietnam’s seventh city, the development of public transport has been identified as a key task.

Residents head toward parked buses at Bien Hoa Bus Station. Photo: An Nhon

For an industrial locality with hundreds of thousands of employees like Dong Nai, investing in a bus network that connects industrial parks (IPs) and residential areas will better serve the commuting needs of the workforce. This also contributes to reducing traffic congestion, protecting the environment, improving quality of life, and creating a foundation for smart, sustainable urban development.

Gradually meeting workers’ commuting needs

Along with rapid urbanization and strong industrial growth, the daily commuting needs of residents, especially workers in IPs across Dong Nai, are increasing. In this context, the public transport system is gradually fulfilling its role in connecting homes, workplaces, and essential services, helping to ease the pressure on urban transport infrastructure.

According to Dong Nai's development orientation, public transport not only serves the commuting needs of residents but is also a crucial component in building a modern city. Dong Nai is moving toward a transit-oriented development (TOD) model, using public transport routes as the core for urban spatial planning to reduce reliance on private vehicles.

Practical observations show that buses are gradually becoming a preferred choice for many workers. Nguyen Hoa Binh, a worker at Thanh Phu IP (Tan Trieu Ward), said she has been commuting by bus for many years. Since she lives near the Tan Phong roundabout (in Trang Dai Ward), she usually takes bus route No. 7 or No. 8 to get to work.

Some enterprises in the IPs suggest that developing a public transport network within these zones is a highly practical solution. When workers are supported with convenient, punctual, and safe transportation, their health and mental well-being improve, which in turn boosts labor productivity. At the same time, enterprises can reduce instances of workers arriving late due to traffic jams or private vehicle breakdowns. This is seen as a "dual benefit," easing traffic pressure while helping businesses stabilize their workforce and contributing to the socio-economic development of Dong Nai in the new era.

"Unless something unexpected comes up, I only use my motorbike when I need to be flexible. Otherwise, I choose the bus because it is cost-effective. If I ride my motorbike, the monthly costs for fuel, parking, and maintenance add up. Meanwhile, taking the bus is cheaper, protects me from the weather, and is safer during crowded rush hours," Binh shared.

Nguyen Ngoc Tuan, operations manager at Hoang Ha D.L Tourist Services Co., Ltd, said that his company is operating bus route No. 2 from Bien Hoa Bus Station to Nhon Trach IP. This route has operated steadily for many years, connecting various residential areas, IPs, schools, and hospitals. Currently, the route operates 14 buses with 82 trips per day, serving an average of about 2,600 passengers daily, with workers, pupils and students accounting for approximately 33%.

In recent years, companies have focused on improving service quality by monitoring vehicle maintenance, improving service attitudes, and adjusting operating hours to align with shift times at IPs. These are critical factors in retaining regular passengers and attracting more people to use public transport.

Phan Hong Quang, Deputy Director in charge of the Public Passenger Transport Management Center (Dong Nai Department of Construction), shared that there are currently 22 bus routes operating in Dong Nai (12 intra-city routes and 10 inter-city routes). Most of these routes pass through or connect to major IPs and residential areas in the city.

The total number of public bus passengers reaches approximately 6.5 million per year. Specifically, subsidized bus routes (1, 2, 3, 7 and 8) account for about 2.2 million passengers annually, with workers and students making up over 24% (nearly 529,000 passengers per year). In addition to expanding the network, Dong Nai's transport sector is accelerating technological applications. Several routes, such as 601, 603, 605 and 607, have implemented electronic ticketing. The "Bus Dong Nai" app also helps residents look up routes, arrival times, and the nearest bus stops.

Completing transport networks to drive urban development

Despite positive results, reality shows that Dong Nai's public transport still faces "bottlenecks" that need to be addressed soon. Many workers noted that the biggest difficulty currently is that the operating hours and stopping points of some routes are not yet truly suitable. Some buses do not run close enough to IPs or residential areas with a high concentration of workers, forcing employees to walk long distances or transfer to other vehicles. Additionally, traffic congestion at many key intersections in the area also causes certain impacts.

According to functional agencies, although Dong Nai's transport infrastructure has received significant investment over the years, connectivity remains inconsistent. Some IPs lack suitable bus routes, while the habit of using private vehicles remains prevalent. Consequently, Dong Nai has set long-term development goals, identifying that public transport development must stay one step ahead. If the commuting challenge for residents, especially the large workforce, is not solved effectively, the urbanization process will face immense pressure regarding traffic, the environment, and quality of life.

In relation to the aforementioned issue, Phan Hong Quang stated that several bus routes connecting to IPs have been added to the Dong Nai City's bus network list, and transport enterprises are being invited to participate in operating these routes. Furthermore, the center has collaborated with transport companies to increase the frequency of trips during peak hours to better serve the commuting needs of employees in the IPs.

In parallel, Dong Nai is accelerating the transition to green vehicles. The goal is for at least 50% of buses to use electricity or green energy by 2030, with a target of 100% conversion by 2050.

According to the construction sector, in the coming time, Dong Nai will focus on robustly developing transport infrastructure, accelerating the progress of key projects, and increasing inter-regional connectivity with Ho Chi Minh City and the Long Thanh International Airport area. Simultaneously, bus routes connecting to IPs are being included in the list calling for enterprises to participate in operation. Several routes have already had their frequency increased during peak hours to better serve workers.

In addition, the Dong Nai construction sector has affirmed that buses will remain the primary mode of public transport. The orientation is to expand the network to cover the entire city, provide inter-regional connectivity, and serve IPs, airports and new urban areas while gradually transitioning to green and smart transport. Key tasks include opening more routes connecting residential areas, IPs, hospitals, and schools; increasing the frequency of routes with high worker demand; building modern bus shelters and transfer parking facilities; and creating digital applications to support passengers.

In the long term, Dong Nai is also studying the development of high-capacity transport modes such as metro, bus rapid transit, or inter-regional urban rail systems tailored to the population scale and the pace of industrial development in the future.

It is evident that Dong Nai is highly committed to implementing comprehensive solutions for public transport. The goal is not simply to maintain the bus services but to build a modern public transport system. When the network is organized to be convenient, punctual, and reasonably priced, and provides good connectivity between homes and workplaces, residents will gradually change their commuting habits. This will serve as a solid foundation for Dong Nai to build the image of a modern, civilized, and livable industrial city in the future.

By An Nhon – Translated by Minh Hong, Thu Ha