In the last month or so SaigonBus, one of the city’s largest operators, has been struggling since many drivers lack the appropriate license.
The Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety that took effect in January 2025 introduces a new class D driver’s license for passenger vehicles with more than 29 seats.
The previous license that bus drivers had to get is now outdated and they must upgrade to continue working.
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A driver operating one of the new electric bus routes leading to the Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran |
Nguyen Duy Khanh, director of a unit under SaigonBus, said the company has been training its drivers since the second half of last year to enable the upgrade and also recruiting new ones but remains short of more than 100 hands due to difficulties in hiring and older employees’ lack of necessary documents or educational qualifications to qualify for the license upgrade.
“We have no choice but to terminate their contracts or reassign them to other roles,” he said of those drivers who do not meet the requirements.
The company is making efforts to minimize the impact on commuters, especially as demand returns to normal after the Tet (Lunar New Year) holidays that ended on Feb. 2.
A spokesperson for the 19/5 Transport Cooperative said it faces a shortage of 70 drivers.
“We have temporarily assigned some drivers to work as bus attendants while they wait to complete their licensing process,” the person said, adding that it is a widespread problem..
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A bus seen in the September 23 Park in downtown HCMC. Photo by VnExpress/Gia minh |
The city’s Department of Transport anticipated the shortage before the new rules took effect and has been coordinating with operators and agencies to help with hiring and expedite the license upgrade process.
HCMC had over 600 bus drivers with the old license as of last year.
Pham Vuong Bao, deputy director of the department’s Management Center of Public Transport, said its measures have helped more than 350 drivers register get or upgrade to the new license.
“In order to ensure bus operations are not affected, transport agencies are working closely with businesses to recruit and train drivers.”
HCMC has more than 2,200 buses plying on 138 routes with both subsidized and non-subsidized services.
They carry 300,000 passengers on more than 14,000 trips daily, adding up to a total of 7.5 million last month.
