If the plan is approved, travelers be able to catch a boat in the city center and be on a Con Dao Island in just a few hours.
Three more routes are added to Saigon’s river bus map as a plan has been agreed by Local Government, connecting the city’s downtown with the outlying districts of Can Gio and Cu Chi, as well as the stunning Con Dao Island.
The city said it is hoping the plan which was put forward by private city-based firm Greenlines DP will be supported by investors.
In beginning of September, Greenlines DP launched a pilot run on the route between Bach Dang Wharf in District 1 and Can Gio District.
Boat’s capacity is 136 people and ticket price is VND180,000-200,000 (around $8) per person, many people have said this is too high.
The more ambitious part of the plan is the Con Dao Island service
Con Dao is administered by the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau and sits 230 kilometers (143 miles) from Ho Chi Minh City.
So far the only way to visit this beautiful island is take a flight from Tan Son Nhat Airport, Ho Chi Minh City.
Developing river bus services is part of city’s solution to ease traffic congestion and develop tourism.
The first two routes are already taking shape. The first will cruise 10.8 kilometers (6.7 miles) from Bach Dang Wharf in District 1 to Linh Dong Station in Thu Duc District, passing through District 2 and Binh Thanh District. The second will run from Bach Dang to District 8.
The first route was due to launch this summer, but the city has kept passengers waiting on the dock. In August, it said that construction delays at stations will not allow the first river bus to dock until October.
The city’s transport department said they need more time to look after everything as it is the city’s first river bus, convenience for passengers is their primary goal.
In April, the city’s municipal administration approved two more river bus routes connecting the downtown with new urban areas in District 7.
The new routes will link Bach Dang with Phu Thuan Ward and Phu My Hung in District 7.
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