The largest and most modern bus station in the country... is deserted

The new Eastern Bus Station covers an area of ​​over 16 hectares, is the largest bus station in the country and is equipped with modern facilities. However, after 3 years of operation, the number of vehicles and passengers has not reached the initial expectations.

In October, the number of buses departing the station was 170 per day, with about 2,200 passengers using the service. A representative of the new Eastern Bus Station said that the current output is only 35% compared to the time before the phase 2 relocation.

According to Dan Tri reporter's records on the morning of October 24, the number of passengers arriving and departing at the new Eastern bus station was sparse.

The central terminal of the bus station has 4 floors above ground and 2 basements with a total floor area of ​​about 50,000m2. The ticket counter area is designed modernly and beautifully but very desolate.

From the underground parking lot, passengers move to the ground floor to buy tickets by escalator. On the ground floor of the new Eastern Bus Station lobby, there are 2 escalators for passengers to go to the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors.

Rows of hard seats and upholstered seats are installed in the terminal lobby for passengers waiting for their boarding time. From here, passengers can conveniently move to the waiting vehicles outside the glass doors.

The ground floor area is a canteen with tables and chairs, selling food, drinks, and a pharmacy... to serve passengers when they arrive at the bus station. However, these services are also in a state of stagnation.

A series of ticket kiosks at the ground floor lobby of the bus station were empty of passengers, some were closed and locked.

According to many passengers, the new Eastern Bus Station is more modern and spacious than the old one. However, its distance from the city center causes them to spend more time traveling and the cost of travel is higher.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong (62 years old, living in Binh Thanh district) said that she and her husband still keep the habit of taking the bus to the new Eastern bus station to buy tickets to Nha Trang to visit family.

"Although there are many bus companies that pick us up at home, my husband and I still have the habit of taking the bus here to buy tickets to go home. Although it is a bit tiring, in return we are safe and the accompanying service is quite good," said Ms. Hong.

The parking area has a modern design and is clearly divided into locations. However, the number of cars parked here is very small.

In contrast to the gloomy scene inside, outside the new Eastern bus station, illegal buses and bus stations are operating quite busily.

According to the representative of the new Eastern Bus Station, the reason why the number of vehicles and passengers has not met expectations is because the infrastructure around the bus station is not yet complete, traffic connection in the area in front of the station is not convenient, overpasses are not yet in operation...

Notably, the main reason is that many vehicles enter the inner city illegally, leading to unfair competition. Therefore, although some businesses have moved to new terminals but it is not effective, they have to "look for other ways to generate revenue".

In front of the new Eastern Bus Station is the station of Metro Line 1 Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien. The construction project of Metro Line 1 is currently 96.5% complete, expected to be commercially operational in July 2024. This is a type of mass public passenger transport, expected to facilitate passengers going to and from the bus station.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/xa-hoi/ben-xe-lon-va-hien-dai-nhat-nuoc-vang-khach-20231024230244587.htm