The move comes after many complaints from commuters about bus services, especially sexual harassment and theft, said the department’s Public Transport Management Centre.

The installation is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

At least two cameras will reportedly be installed inside each bus, and the total cost for camera purchase and installation is some VND 13 million Vietnamese dong (A$772 million) per vehicle and operating the buses will cost VND 400,000 (A$24) per month, so companies plan to ask for the city’s support.

This year, Ho Chi Minh City will also replace 500 old buses with new ones running on 28 routes which receive price subsidy, and build up a smart electronic ticketing system, said the centre.

The city currently has nearly 3,000 buses operating on 107 subsidised routes and 400 buses running on 32 non-subsidised routes.

– with other agencies