Behind KAZE buses: Stories of the people powering green journeys

At TOKYU Garden City, a city is shaped not only by its homes or the people who live there, but also by the way every movement is thoughtfully connected each day. 

For more than a decade, the KAZE buses have become an essential part of daily life here, steadily serving the mobility needs of residents and the community. With its signature grey-and-green palette and flowing design inspired by the image of wind (“KAZE” means “wind” in Japanese), each KAZE bus reflects a sense of gentleness and reliability. Beyond convenience, the buses operate on clean CNG fuel, helping reduce emissions and contributing to more environmentally friendly journeys.

But...these journeys do not simply begin at a bus stop. 

Behind every bus that continues to run safely and smoothly through sunshine and rain is the dedication of many people working together behind the scenes. So who are they?

A smooth ride and a safe journey never happen by chance. They are built upon experience, responsibility, and unwavering focus behind the wheel. Drivers are not only responsible for operating the buses, but also for ensuring the safety of every passenger on board. Yet their work goes far beyond driving itself. Before each trip begins, they carefully inspect their “travel companion” - from brakes, tires, and signal lights to smaller systems such as onboard Wi-Fi and stop announcement devices. They also prepare the buses to be clean, comfortable, and ready to welcome passengers. 

Mr. Le Van Hoang - Driver: "The greatest joy for drivers is riding passengers safely to their destinations and on time. No matter how challenging the work may be, a simple thank you or a smile from passengers is the motivation for us to keep dedicating. Being able to serve the community and work in a professional environment is something we are truly proud of at Becamex Tokyu Bus."

At Becamex Tokyu Bus, the Operations Department works toward one important goal: delivering a Japanese-standard public transportation service where punctuality is always a priority. They are responsible for arranging bus schedules and coordinating drivers’ shifts to ensure smooth daily operations. Although they are not physically present on each bus, they closely monitor every movement on the road, making sure even the smallest unexpected situations are handled promptly. This team also listens to customer questions and feedback through the hotline system, responding carefully and continuously improving service quality. Every task they perform shares the same purpose: ensuring every bus arrives on time, every driver serves passengers professionally, and every passenger feels at ease throughout their journey with KAZE buses.

Mr. Nguyen Hong Tinh - Manager of Operations Department: “Responsibility is the most important factor in ensuring safe journeys. At Becamex Tokyu Bus, we always operate under the philosophy of ‘Safety - Comfort - Responsibility’. Safety depends not only on the drivers’ skills, but also on strict operational procedures and thorough vehicle inspections before every trip. That is why our operations, maintenance, and driver teams always work closely together to ensure every bus runs on time, operates smoothly, and earns passengers’ trust.”

For the Maintenance Team, every day revolves around inspection, servicing, and handling technical issues to ensure stable bus operations. From critical safety-related systems to cleaning and caring for the interior spaces, every process is carried out consistently before and after each journey. Beyond maintaining vehicles, these technicians are also safeguarding the safety and comfort of every passenger. Though passengers may never meet them directly, the value of their work is present in every smooth ride. 

Mr. Nguyen Van Cuong - Deputy Maintenance Manager: “Our inspection and maintenance process follows the principle of ‘prevention before failure occurs’. At Becamex Tokyu Bus, we establish replacement schedules for parts that naturally wear over time, while also implementing monthly and yearly maintenance plans to ensure all buses remain in the best operating condition. In addition, our maintenance team proactively performs daily inspections to minimize issues and provide passengers with safe and comfortable journeys.”

The Planning Team’s main responsibility is conducting field surveys and research to optimize bus timetables and ensure every route meets passengers’ mobility needs. Beyond scheduling, they also develop meaningful incentive programs and policies that encourage people to use public transportation more frequently, including discounted monthly passes for students, free rides for passengers over 60 years old, and commuter cards for TOKYU Garden City residents. Every effort is aimed at bringing KAZE buses closer to daily life and encouraging greener commuting habits within the community.

Mr. Nguyen Tan Khoa – Planning Team Leader: “Our goal is not only to operate buses on time, but also to build the image of a safe, modern, and professional public transportation service inspired by Japanese standards. Through optimized timetables, promotional activities, and bus pass programs, we hope buses will become a trusted transportation choice for more people. In the future, we hope KAZE buses will continue expanding and become a familiar companion in the everyday lives of the community.”

Four departments, dozens of people, different responsibilities - yet all moving toward one shared purpose: creating greener journeys for the community, and together with the community. Their efforts go beyond transportation services alone, they reflect the care and dedication that continuously shape and sustain TOKYU Garden City every day. 

If you choose KAZE buses as your daily means of transportation, contributing to environmental protection and helping preserve the city’s greenery, then every effort made behind the scenes has truly been worthwhile.

Thank to all the silent individuals behind these green journeys for not only operating buses, but also for building a story of dedication, professionalism, and sustainable urban living - helping shape KAZE buses and a greener future at TOKYU Garden City.