The Hanoi People's Committee announced on June 15 that bus fares will be waived for passengers travelling from within the Ring Road 1 area to other parts of the city from July 1 until June 30, 2027.
The policy applies to public bus services but excludes buses operated for tourism purposes.
Hanoi will waive bus fares for all residents travelling from Ring Road 1 from July 1 to June 30, 2027 (Photo: Bach Huy Thanh).
According to city authorities, the measure is intended to support residents most affected by the roadmap to restrict vehicles powered by fossil fuels under Prime Ministerial Directive No. 20/CT-TTg and Hanoi's plans to establish low emission zones.
The city said the fare exemption is designed as an initial support measure to reduce travel costs and encourage residents to shift from private vehicles to public transport.
Officials argued that extending free travel across the entire bus network at the same time would significantly increase the financial burden on the state budget. The current priority is to assist communities directly affected by the rollout of low emission zones.
After one year, Hanoi will evaluate the programme's impact on travel demand, public transport ridership, budget efficiency and the city's ability to allocate resources before considering adjustments, expansion or further refinement of the policy.
On the same day, the Hanoi People's Council approved a resolution on the city's low emission zone scheme within the Ring Road 1 area.
Under the plan, Hanoi will implement low emission zones in three phases.
The first phase will pilot low emission zones in Areas 1 and 2 of Hoan Kiem Ward from July 1 to December 31.
The second phase will expand the pilot programme to Areas 1, 2 and 3 in Hoan Kiem Ward and Cua Nam Ward from January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2027.
The third phase will extend low emission zones across the entire Ring Road 1 area, designated as Area 4, from January 1, 2028, to December 31, 2029, before becoming a permanent policy from January 1, 2030.
