The first two river bus lines in Ho Chi Minh City will open in June to offer locals an alternative traffic-free means of public transport.

The project’s developer, Thuong Nhat Ltd., is taking over piers and wharfs along the city’s iconic Saigon River to commence building stations for the upcoming river bus routes, according to the Division of Water Traffic under the municipal Department of Transport.

The first route, Bach Dang-Linh Dong, will take passengers on a 10.8 kilometer trip along the Saigon River and Thanh Da Canal, connecting Bach Dang Port in District 1 to Linh Dong Ward in Thu Duc District.

There will be seven bus stops along the first route, located in District 1, Binh Thanh and Thu Duc Districts.

The second route, Bach Dang-Lo Gom, sails off from Bach Dang Port in District 1 and travels along the Saigon River before turning into Ben Nghe Canal and Tau Hu Canal to reach Lo Gom Port in District 6.

The 10.3-kilometer route will include seven stops in Districts 1, 4, 5, 6 and 8.

Each route will employ one 80-seat boat in the June inaugration, with plans to eventually expand the fleets to six boats each, according to the municipal Department of Transport.

The department noted that bus takers will not be required to wear life vests as the boats are designed to ensure maximum safety for passengers.

The river bus routes have received a total investment of VND125 billion (US$5.58 million), under a build-operate-transfer (BOO) contract.

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