Ho Chi Minh City, July 7 -- The passenger number on Ho Chi Minh City's bus network has increased by more than 30% year on year since the city introduced free fares on 134 subsidised routes on July 1, reflecting growing support for public transport.

According to the city's Public Transport Management Centre, more than 1.32 million passenger trips were recorded on the subsidised routes during the first five days of the programme.

The figures show strong growth compared to the same period last year. On the first day of the policy, July 1, buses carried nearly 274,000 passengers, equivalent to 128% of the volume recorded a year earlier. Ridership peaked at almost 283,000 passengers on July 3, or 135% of the level seen on the same day in 202...