Ho Chi Minh City’s Public Transportation Management Center on Thursday announced the dismissal of a bus driver who ran a red light in District 1 this week, adding that the driver will not be eligible for rehire for two years.

The Public Transportation Management Center also levied a fine of VND1 million (US$40) on Ho Chi Minh City Transport JSC for not ensuring its bus driver adhered to safety standards, according to Pham Vuong Bao, deputy director of the management center.

The fine will be deducted from the transport company’s state subsidies.

The city has been proactively reminding bus drivers and transport businesses to follow traffic rules and ensure passenger safety.

The management center has intensified inspections and strict enforcement against unsafe driving behaviors to enhance driver awareness, reduce violations, and ensure public safety, Bao said.

He emphasized the center’s focus on addressing issues like speeding, reckless driving, excessive horn use, unsafe boarding and exiting of buses, and abrupt stops.

When the bus driver ran the red light, he was captured on a dashcam and widely shared on social media on Tuesday.

In the video that sparked public concerns, the driver was recorded speeding through the red light at the busy intersection of Cach Mang Thang Tam Street and Bui Thi Xuan Street in District 1 at around 6:50 am the same day.

The bus, with license plate 51B-290.28, operates on Route 69 from 23/9 Park in District 1 to Tan Binh Industrial Park in Tan Binh District.

In response, the Public Transportation Management Center collaborated with the city’s traffic police agency to review the video footage and summon the driver for questioning.

The driver, N.T.B., is a resident of District 6.

The officers then conducted alcohol and drug tests on the 58-year-old driver, which returned negative results.

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