Unexpected North-South high-speed railway ticket prices: Are they cheaper than planes?

The planned North-South high-speed railway, spanning 1,541 km, is divided into four simultaneous component projects, with completion expected by 2035. High-speed train fares are projected to be 75% of the average price of low-cost airline tickets.

The North-South high-speed railway project is a project that is attracting a lot of attention from people across the country.

Speed ​​350 km/h

According to the draft government proposal, the 250 km/h speed limit was developed 50 years ago and is currently only suitable for short and medium-distance routes.

As for the North-South corridor, which is over 1,500 km long and connects many major cities, a speed of 350 km/h would help attract more passengers.

Global experience shows that choosing a speed of 350 km/h not only shortens travel time but also has the potential to attract approximately 12.5% ​​more passengers compared to a speed of 250 km/h.

Although the initial investment cost is 8-9% higher, this is a long-term visionary decision, ensuring modernity and compatibility with high-speed rail lines worldwide.

Expected ticket price

The projected fare for the high-speed rail line will be around 75% of the average fare of budget and economy airlines.

To suit affordability and attract passengers, high-speed rail tickets are divided into three price levels corresponding to different passenger segments and levels of amenities. The proposed ticket prices are not significantly different from those in countries with similar conditions to Vietnam; they are lower than air travel, higher than road travel, but offer higher service quality and save time.

The North-South high-speed railway line not only connects major cities but is also planned to have 23 passenger stations along the entire route, passing through the territory of 20 provinces and cities, with one passenger station in each of the following localities: Hanoi, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien - Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Dong Nai, and Ho Chi Minh City.

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Specifically, Ha Tinh province has added Vung Ang station as a freight station with passenger services, and it also connects to the Mu Gia – Vung Ang railway line. Vung Ang is a major economic zone in the northern Central region, so forecasts indicate a relatively large demand for passenger transport.

The provinces of Binh Dinh and Binh Thuan have added Bong Son and Phan Ri stations to facilitate operations during the railway's operation. According to the consultant's study, the proposed station layout for the line is similar to the Beijing-Shanghai railway line (over 1,310 km long, with a design speed of 380 km/h and 24 stations).

Given Vietnam's complex terrain, the high-speed railway line will utilize three main structural types: bridges accounting for approximately 60% of the line length, tunnels for 10%, and earthworks for 30%. This not only allows the line to efficiently traverse diverse terrains but also ensures stability and safety during operation.

Component projects

The North-South high-speed railway project is quite long (estimated at approximately 1,541 km, of which 70% consists of bridges and tunnels requiring complex survey and design).

Therefore, to shorten the implementation time, maximize resource mobilization, and encourage domestic contractors to participate, the Government plans to divide the project into four component projects and implement them simultaneously.

Preliminary estimates put the total investment for the project at over 67 billion USD.

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Component Project 1: The section from Ngoc Hoi station (in Hanoi) to Vinh station (in Nghe An) has a total length of approximately 281 km.

Component Project 2: the section from Vinh Station to Da Nang Station has a total length of approximately 420 km.

Component Project 3: the section from Da Nang station to Dien Khanh station (in Khanh Hoa province) has a total length of approximately 480 km.

Component Project 4: the section from Dien Khanh station to Thu Thiem station (in Ho Chi Minh City) has a total length of approximately 360 km.

Based on preliminary selections regarding technology, engineering, and investment scale, and referencing investment costs of high-speed rail projects already underway worldwide, the preliminary estimated total investment for the project is approximately over 67 billion USD.

With a projected total investment of over 67 billion USD, allocated over approximately 12 years, averaging around 5.6 billion USD per year, equivalent to about 16.2% of the medium-term investment plan for the 2026-2030 period if the current medium-term public investment rate of 5.5-5.7% of GDP remains unchanged, the government proposes allocating public investment funds.

Upon completion of the high-speed railway project, the Vietnam Railways Corporation is expected to be entrusted with all the vehicles and equipment for operation and will be responsible for repaying the investment costs for these vehicles and equipment. Simultaneously, during the construction and operation phases, the corporation will also call for businesses to invest in service and commercial areas at the stations; and invest in additional vehicles for operation as needed.

Thanhnien.vn

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bat-ngo-gia-ve-duong-sat-toc-do-cao-bac-nam-co-re-hon-may-bay-185241001111102679.htm