Improving bus service quality for students

As the 2025–2026 school year begins, demand for bus travel among students in Dong Nai province is on the rise. This group represents a regular stream of passengers, contributing to the development of safe and civilized commuting habits while also helping to ease the burden of personal vehicles in urban areas.

In line with the province's directive, agencies, units, and transport enterprises have recently focused on implementing various solutions to improve the quality of bus services, with particular attention to students.

Safe and economical

At 5:35 a.m. on September 9, many students had already gathered at Bus Station No. 1 (opposite Dong Nai University of Technology, Trang Dai Ward) to catch the bus to school. Tran Quang Huy, a resident of Quarter 4B, Trang Dai Ward, shared: "I'm currently a 10th-grade student at Ngo Quyen High School. I take the bus to school every day as it's much cheaper than riding a motorbike, and my parents no longer have to spend time taking me to and from school. Plus, riding the bus gives me time to review lessons and read books on the way."

Many pupils and students go to school by subsidized bus route number 1. Photo: An Nhon Ms. Ngo Ngoc Thuy Anh, in charge of bus route No. 1 (Tri Minh Phat Company Limited), said: Bus No. 1 runs from Dong Nai University of Technology - Vung Tau intersection (and vice versa) with a length of about 17km. This route passes through roads with many schools, such as: Trang Dai Secondary School, Bui Thi Xuan Primary - Secondary - High School, Tran Hung Dao Secondary School, Ngo Quyen High School, Nam Ha High School... According to Thuy Anh, the company has recently focused on implementing various measures to improve passenger service, including regular maintenance and upgrades of its vehicles. At the same time, drivers and service staff have been instructed to provide dedicated support to passengers. To encourage greater use of public transport, the company has launched a promotional program offering up to 25% off monthly bus passes. Passengers who purchase a monthly ticket pack (100 tickets for 500,000 VND) receive a 125,000 VND discount, with no time restriction on usage. "We are currently registering to extend the route to Mien Dong Bus Station in Ho Chi Minh City to meet the growing travel demand of local residents," Thuy Anh said. "In recent times, residents and students have regularly used Bus Route No. 1, as the fare is subsidized by the provincial budget, keeping the ticket price at just 5,000 VND. Currently, Route No. 1 operates 10 vehicles (8 in service and 2 on standby) with a frequency of 80 trips per day, serving around 700 to 800 passengers daily, with students accounting for approximately 70%." Ms. NGO NGOC THUY ANH, in charge of bus route No. 1 (Tri Minh Phat Company Limited)

 Efforts to improve the quality of public transport

Nguyen Ngoc Tuan, who oversees operations for Bus Route No. 2 at Hoang Ha Tourism Service Co., Ltd., said that Route No. 2 runs between Bien Hoa Bus Station and Nhon Trach Bus Station, covering a distance of approximately 42 kilometers. A key feature of this route is that the State subsidizes it and passes several educational institutions, such as Tran Hung Dao Secondary School, Ngo Quyen High School, Dong Nai Technical College, and Dong Nai University. As a result, many students use Route No. 2 for its convenience and cost savings.

Currently, the route operates 14 vehicles (12 in service and 2 on standby) with a frequency of 80 trips per day, serving around 3,000 passengers daily, including about 800 student trips. The fare for students is only 5,000 VND per ticket. Additionally, students who register for monthly passes receive a 25% discount.

Dong Nai province currently has 20 bus routes, 5 of which are subsidized (routes 1, 2, 3, 7, 8). Subsidized routes are playing a pivotal role in the public passenger transport network, helping to reduce travel costs, limit personal vehicles, and reduce traffic congestion and accidents.

To better serve the travel needs of the people in general and students in particular, the agencies and functional units of Dong Nai province have been making efforts to implement many synchronous solutions to innovate and improve the quality of public transport activities, including buses. Specifically, the Provincial People's Committee recently implemented a plan for the Peak Traffic Safety Month for students going to school in the 2025-2026 school year.

Provincial leaders have assigned specific tasks to relevant departments, agencies, sectors, and units to enhance coordination and implement comprehensive, decisive measures to ensure absolute safety and convenience for students commuting to school.

In particular, the provincial police have directed subordinate units to deploy measures to maintain traffic safety and order around school areas, preventing traffic insecurity and congestion. The police force is also working in coordination with the education sector to strengthen public awareness campaigns and instruct students on safe traffic practices.

They have also instructed local police forces to intensify inspections and handle traffic violations around schools in accordance with their authority. This undertaking includes addressing violations of traffic laws committed by high school students and dealing with cases in which vehicles are handed over to or operated by individuals who are not legally qualified.

At the same time, the police are required to promptly notify schools of student violations so that appropriate educational measures, warnings, or disciplinary actions can be taken.

By: An Nhon

Translated by: Quoc Dung - Minho