A new bus route connecting Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City and the downtown area opened on Wednesday morning.

A bus used for route No. 109 is pictured at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City on March 16, 2016. VnExpress

Route No. 109, linking the international airport and 23/9 Park is run by the Southern Airport Transportation Joint Stock Company (Satsco) in coordination with the municipal Department of Transport, VnExpress reported.

The project received a total investment capital of over VND20 billion (US$897,200), the newswire added.
The six buses that ply the new route can carry up to 70 passengers each and they run every 15-20 minutes between 5:30 am and 1:30 am.

The fare for the service is VND20,000 ($0.9) for journeys over 5km and VND12,000 ($0.54) for those under 5km.

The entire journey takes approximately 45 minutes.

Each of the vehicles includes a system which will maximize the safety for passengers, namely the automatic anti-jamming devices at three of its doors, air suspension, an anti-slip floor, a lower platform, and large luggage spaces convenient for air travelers.

The design of the buses meets all the requirements of the European emission standard (Euro II), VnExpress cited investors as saying.

In addition to state-of-the-art busses, the staff are equipped with competent English ability and are charged with providing services in a friendly and enthusiastic manner, the newswire said, adding that the schedules, timing, and ticket sale procedure would be closely monitored and ensured.

“Using bus route No. 109, we hope to create a good impression of public traffic and tourism in Ho Chi Minh City, and meet the growing demand of tourists and locals for quick transportation,” Nguyen Duy Hung, director of Satsco, was quoted as saying by VnExpress.

Deputy director of the Department of Transport Le Hoang Minh said that the new service will attract more bus users across other routes as well, contributing to the alleviation of traffic congestion in the city.

The specific journeys are listed as follows:

From Tan Son Nhat International Airport to the downtown area: International Terminal → Domestic Terminal → Truong Son → Tran Quoc Hoan → Lang Cha Ca Roundabout → Hoang Van Thu → Nguyen Van Troi → Nam Ky Khoi Nghia → Nguyen Dinh Chieu → Cach Mang Thang Tam → Pham Hong Thai → Le Lai → Ben Thanh Roundabout → Ben Thanh Bus Station → Pham Ngu Lao → 23/9 Park.

From the city’s center to Tan Son Nhat International Airport: 23/9 Park → Le Lai → Ben Thanh Roundabout → Pham Ngu Lao → Yersin → Tran Hung Dao → Ben Thanh Bus Station → Le Loi → Pasteur → Vo Thi Sau → Nam Ky Khoi Nghia → Nguyen Van Troi → Phan Dinh Giot → Truong Son → Domestic Terminal → Truong Son → International Terminal.

(Source: Tuoi Tre News)