Nhan Dan – Two buses providing transportation for the disabled began operation on the An Duong Bus Station – Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry route under the Ho Chi Minh City Transport Cooperative Union on July 3.
The buses will automatically adjust the floorboard to level with the curb and help elevate the impaired board the bus.
The new buses are part of a project featuring eight buses bought from South Korea at a cost of VND15 billion (US$7,500), which run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
CNG, comprised of compressed methane and ethane, is considered a clean fuel and has a high octane rating, meaning it is not highly inflammable. It vaporizes in the air without catching fire, thereby minimizing the risk of an explosion.
Ho Chi Minh City currently has nearly 50 CNG-ran buses in operation on Ben Thanh – Mien Tay (Western Regional) Bus Station route, An Duong Bus Station – Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry route and Mien Tay Bus Station – Hang Xanh - Dai Nam Tourist - Cultural - Historical Zone route.
Using CNG buses will help to reduce air pollution in Ho Chi Minh City and save at least 40% in operational costs compared to petrol-powered buses.