HCM City (VNS/VNA) – Ho Chi Minh City has presentednearly 100 free smart bus cards for people aged 70 or over, and social policybeneficiaries, including wounded and sick soldiers.

On September 18, the city’s Public Transport Management Centreoffered free bus cards to the elderly and other priority populationsin Thu Duc city.

The city’s smart ticket system, named UniPass, started its trialphase in 2019, carried out by the centre, Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bankfor Industry and Trade (VietinBank) and Zion JSC.

It allows bus passengers to pay for their ride in two methods,either swiping their near-field communication (NFC) cards on the bus totransfer money from their UniPass account or using their smartphones toscan a QR code that provides them with payment details.

Ha Le An, deputy director of the centre, said this offer aimed toattract more users to public transport, reduce congestion and trafficaccidents, and protect the environment.

Elderly who have not yet registered to receive a free bus cardcould show their ID card for free travel on any public bus, he said.

Doan Van Quy, 79, who was given free bus cards, said it was notconvenient for the elderly like him to travel by private vehicles, with trafficjams at peak hours.

Therefore, the policy of offering free bus cards for the elderlywas reasonable, encouraging people to use public transport in the city, hesaid.

Nguyen Van Hung, 74, said he was very happy to get a free bus cardbecause he often rides public buses.

“The bus staff is quite friendly and they always serve me likethose who have to pay for bus tickets,” he said.

Dao Van Huong, 70, who regularly travels on bus route No. 141,said she agreed with the policy of offering free bus travel to older people.

“It is really good for us, especially people in difficultcircumstances,” she said.

An said the centre would continue to implement many policiesand plans to attract people to use public buses.

The centre would promote the application of technology tobetter serve passengers, including the Go! Bus app for mobiledevices.

The app would help people easily find the nearest bus stop,update information on bus routes and bus arrival times, saving time andmoney, he said./.