The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transportation has submitted to the municipal People’s Committee a project to build two river bus routes under the BOO (build-own-operate) model.

The project, invested by Thuong Nhat Ltd. Co, will be carried out on the Sai Gon River; and in the Thanh Da, Ben Nghe and Tau Hu canals.

Route 1 connects Bach Dang wharf on Sai Gon River in District 1 with the Linh Dong region in Thu Duc district. It is about 10.8 kilometres long, running along Sai Gon River and Thanh Da canal with seven stops.

Meanwhile, Route 2 runs from Bach Dang wharf to the Lo Gom region in District 6, along Sai Gon River, Ben Nghe Canal and Tau Hu Canal. It is 10.3 kilometres long and also has seven stops.

The project is feasible, Minh said, adding that the investor will build all passenger stations along the route except for the Bach Dang wharf, where the investor proposes using the existing facilities.

From now through 2020, the company will invest in 10 vessels with a capacity of at least 60 seats each.

If the project is approved, the company plans to put the service in operation in 2016.-VNA