Promoting green transition in public passenger transport

As part of its green urban development roadmap, Dong Nai City is gradually transitioning its public passenger transport vehicles to clean energy in a sustainable manner.

Residents board Electric Bus Route No. 9 at Bien Hoa Bus Station.

The continuous introduction of electric bus routes aims to improve service quality while providing residents with more convenient travel options. It also demonstrates the city's determination to achieve its emission reduction goals and build a civilised, modern and environmentally friendly public transportation system.

A journey toward green transportation

Amid the constant flow of traffic each day, electric buses have gradually become a familiar sight on many roads across Dong Nai City. The deployment of electric buses represents a concrete step in implementing the Government's policy on green energy transition in the transport sector, in line with the direction of the Prime Minister and local authorities.

On July 4, Electric Bus Route No. 9 officially commenced operations, connecting Bien Hoa Bus Station (Tran Bien Ward) with Doc Mo 3 (Thong Nhat Commune) and vice versa. This is Dong Nai's first intra-city bus route operated entirely by electric vehicles.

Following the selection process in accordance with regulations, Hai Thanh Dat One Member Co., Ltd. (Trang Bom Ward) was appointed to operate the route using new-generation electric buses equipped with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, automated stop announcements, and an electronic ticketing system. The route is approximately 57.5 kilometers long, with buses operating every 30 minutes during peak hours and every 60 minutes during off-peak hours, meeting the travel needs of local residents.

As an unsubsidized route, fares are calculated based on travel distance, ranging from VND8,000 to VND40,000 per trip. Special fare concessions are available, including free travel for people with meritorious service to the nation, persons with disabilities, senior citizens aged 70 and above, and children under six years old. Students purchasing monthly passes or multi-ride tickets receive a 50% discount.

Soon after its launch, Electric Bus Route No. 9 received positive feedback from passengers. Nguyen Thi Tuong Van, a resident of Ho Chi Minh City, shared that her family recently traveled by train from Di An Station to Bien Hoa Station, then transferred to Bus Route No. 9 to visit relatives in the Doc Mo 3 area while also enjoying sightseeing along the way.

“I found the electric bus to be very smooth and comfortable. Unlike diesel-powered buses, it didn’t jerk when stopping to pick up or drop off passengers. The bus was clean, cool, and the driver and staff were very courteous. It was a truly satisfying travel experience”, Van said.

According to Nguyen Truong Dat, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director of Hai Thanh Dat One Member Co., Ltd., introducing electric buses marks an important milestone in the company's transport modernization efforts.

“We recognize that modern vehicles are only part of the equation. What matters more is service quality, passengers’ safety, and their trust. We will continue training our drivers and service staff while listening to passengers' feedback to further improve our services”, Dat said.

Nguyen Anh Tuan, Member of the City Party Committee and Director of the Department of Construction, emphasized that the launch of Bus Route No. 9 enhances connectivity between Bien Hoa and Thong Nhat, making it easier for students, workers, and commuters to access a safe and modern mode of transportation.

To ensure effective operations of the Bus Route No. 9, the Department of Construction requires the operating company to strictly follow the approved service plan, maintain technical safety standards, improve service quality, and build a professional and courteous workforce. Meanwhile, the Public Passenger Transport Management and Operations Center has been tasked with strengthening operational supervision, regularly assessing travel demand, and recommending measures to enhance service efficiency.

Accelerating the transition to electric buses

In addition to Route No. 9, on July 12, Dong Nai further expanded its electric bus fleet on routes with high passenger demand. The Department of Construction of Dong Nai City, in coordination with its counterpart of Ho Chi Minh City, introduced electric buses on Route 603 (Nhon Trach Industrial Park - Mien Dong Bus Station) and Route 605 (Bien Hoa Bus Station - National University Bus Station), completely replacing the previous diesel-powered buses.

To operate these two routes, Phuong Trang Passenger Transport Joint Stock Company (FUTA Bus Lines) invested in 13 new electric buses, including 10 buses for Route 603 and 3 buses for Route 605. All vehicles are equipped with air conditioning, surveillance cameras, electronic ticketing devices, free Wi-Fi, and low-floor designs that provide easier access for elderly passengers, children, and persons with disabilities. Earlier, in March 2026, the company also completed the conversion of Route 607 (Bien Hoa Bus Station- New Mien Dong Bus Station) from diesel-powered buses to electric buses. The route is currently served by 10 electric buses, operating efficiently to meet public transportation needs.

Under the direction of the Department of Construction, Bien Hoa Bus Station continues to promote green transition by gradually upgrading technical infrastructure, prioritizing locations for electric charging stations, and coordinating the installation of charging facilities to ensure safe and efficient electric bus operations.

The continued deployment of electric buses on high-demand routes demonstrates that Dong Nai's green energy transition in public transport is being implemented according to a well-planned roadmap and is steadily accelerating. According to Director of the Department of Construction Nguyen Anh Tuan, following the administrative merger of Dong Nai and Binh Phuoc, the department proactively reviewed and advised the City People's Committee to approve a new bus network comprising 30 intra-city routes and 22 inter-city routes. At the same time, the department advised the municipal People's Committee to seek feedback from the Ministry of Construction on five new bus routes connecting to Long Thanh International Airport, aiming to meet travel demand once the airport becomes operational.

Alongside network planning, the transition to clean energy-powered vehicles has also been accelerated. During the first six months of 2026, Dong Nai successfully introduced electric buses on Routes 607, 9, 603, and 605.

In response to the 500-day-and-night special emulation campaign implementing Resolution No. 05-NQ/TU of the City Party Executive Committee, the Department of Construction is completing procedures to deploy approximately 70 additional electric buses from late 2026 to early 2027, gradually replacing vehicles powered by fossil fuels.

This is regarded as an important milestone in modernizing Dong Nai's public passenger transport system. As the electric bus network continues to expand, residents will enjoy more convenient, safer, and higher-quality travel options. In the long term, replacing fossil fuel-powered vehicles with electric buses will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, cut noise pollution, improve the urban environment, and gradually encourage greater use of public transportation.

In the coming period, the Department of Construction will continue working with relevant departments and transport operators to accelerate the transition of the remaining bus routes to electric and other green energy-powered vehicles. At the same time, it will continue improving service quality and expanding the public transport network toward a modern, safe, sustainable, and environmentally friendly system, contributing to the city's realization of its green urban development goals.

By An Nhon - Translated by Diec Quyen, Thu Ha