HCM CITY — Bus passengers in HCM City now have an additional payment option using domestic NAPAS cards via Sacombank’s automated fare collection system, alongside Mastercard and Visa.

They can use credit or domestic debit cards issued by 28 NAPAS (National Payment Corporation of Vietnam) member banks to make contactless payments on more than 30 bus routes with over 600 vehicles.

This open-loop payment solution is jointly deployed across the city’s bus network by Sacombank, the payment acquirer, and its partners.

With this addition, bus fares can now be paid cashlessly using Mastercard, Visa and NAPAS cards.

In the next phase the system is expected to expand to over 100 routes with another 1,400 vehicles, supporting the digital transformation of the city’s public transport system and building on the success of the automated ticketing model introduced on Metro Line 1.

Phạm Đức Duy, deputy director of the bank’s retail banking division, said: “Sacombank has always sought to bring modern financial technologies into customers’ daily lives.

“Accepting NAPAS cards on the bus system is the next step in expanding our digital payment ecosystem.

“We believe this convenience will encourage people to prioritise public transport over private vehicles, thereby contributing to a greener transport system and a smarter city.”

The open-loop fare collection solution enables passengers to pay via a wide range of methods, also including digital platforms such as Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and e-wallets. This makes the public transport network more seamless, faster and safer, delivering a modern travel experience while promoting green mobility, reducing emissions and protecting the environment, particularly benefitting students and office workers. — VNS