Bus ticket prices for Tet Giap Ngo increased by up to 60%

It is forecasted that this year the number of passengers traveling during Tet will not be higher than last year, but bus fares will still increase by 20-60% to compensate for the cost of empty seats.

According to the director of the Eastern Bus Station, Ho Chi Minh City, Nguyen Ngoc Thua, the number of passengers passing through the station during the Lunar New Year (2014) is expected to not increase compared to last year because airlines have added many more flights. Of which, Vietnam Airlines has added more than 800 flights before and after Tet (an increase of 27% compared to last year's Tet) and increased night flights; VietJetAir has also purchased and rented more planes to serve the Tet holiday...

In addition, another reason given by Mr. Thua is that the inflation situation and the domestic economy are facing many difficulties, which can also affect passenger travel.

It is forecasted that this year the number of visitors returning home for Tet will not increase compared to last year, with peak days likely to reach only about 45,000 visitors passing through Mien Dong bus station. Photo: Huu Cong

During peak days, the number of passengers departing from the station can reach only 45,000/day. Routes with high passenger volume include routes from Ho Chi Minh City to the Northern and Central provinces. To compensate for the cost of empty buses, this year's bus fares have increased by 20 to 60% depending on the departure date and route. The number of passengers is mainly concentrated on the days from December 24 to 28 (this is also the time when ticket prices increase the most, at 60%).

Meanwhile, the Western Bus Station has not yet announced the ticket sales schedule for Tet, because the route to the Western provinces is short and the buses turn around quickly, so traveling during Tet is not as stressful as at the Eastern Bus Station.

Bus tickets will be sold from January 1, 2014. Meanwhile, the railway and aviation sectors have organized ticket sales for Tet. According to a report sent to the Ministry of Transport, 86% of train tickets from the South to the North have been sold, and 46% from the North to the South. Vietnam Airlines has sold more than 40% of tickets during the peak season before Tet from the South to the North, while Jetstar Pacific has sold more than 15% of tickets for both directions.

According to Vnexpress