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TP - In less than a month, Ho Chi Minh City's Metro Line 1 will officially begin commercial operation. The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee has issued ticket prices and finalized the connecting transportation system to ensure the most convenient access for people to the stations.

TP - In less than a month, Ho Chi Minh City's Metro Line 1 will officially begin commercial operation. The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee has issued ticket prices and finalized the connecting transportation system to ensure the most convenient access for people to the stations.

200 train journeys per day

According to the operating plan for Metro Line 1 Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien by the Urban Railway Company No. 1 (HURC1, the operating unit), in phase 1 (the first 6 months after the line begins commercial operation), trains will operate from 5 am to 10 pm with 200 trips per day.

Train frequency during peak hours (6:00 to 8:00, 11:00 to 12:00, 15:30 to 18:00): trains will be spaced approximately 8 minutes apart, with 9 trains in operation. During off-peak hours, the frequency is 12 minutes per trip, with 6 trains in operation.

In Phase 2 (implemented after the completion of Phase 1), Ho Chi Minh City Metro Line 1 trains will operate from 5:00 AM to 11:30 PM daily. The frequency of trains from Monday to Friday is 5 minutes per trip during peak hours, 10 minutes per trip during off-peak hours, and 15 minutes per trip during off-peak hours. The total number of trains operating per day is approximately 276.

Inside the Long Binh depot - Ho Chi Minh City Metro Line 1. Photo: Duy Anh

On Saturdays, Sundays, summer holidays, public holidays, and Tet (Lunar New Year): the frequency of trains during peak hours in the morning and afternoon is 8 minutes/trip; the frequency during normal hours is 10 minutes/trip; and the frequency during off-peak hours is 15 minutes/trip. The total number of trains operating per day is approximately 226.

Regarding ticket prices, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee stipulates that there are several types of tickets: single-trip tickets, day tickets, 3-day tickets, and monthly tickets. Passengers paying with cash for single-trip tickets pay from 7,000 to 20,000 VND per trip, depending on the distance traveled. If paying with cash, the ticket price is reduced by 1,000 VND, from 6,000 to 19,000 VND per trip.

Passengers experience the journey on Ho Chi Minh City's Metro Line 1. Photo: Huu Huy

The price for a day pass is 40,000 VND per person (unlimited rides within the day). A 3-day pass costs 90,000 VND per person (unlimited rides within the 3 days).

For monthly passes, passengers can enjoy unlimited rides per month for 300,000 VND per person. Students receive a 50% discount, paying only 150,000 VND per month. The published fare includes passenger personal injury insurance for those using public transportation on Metro Line 1.

Mr. Phan Cong Bang, Head of the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Board, said that Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien) has completed 100% of its construction and is currently undergoing the necessary procedures to finalize and put the project into commercial operation. It is expected that Ho Chi Minh City's first urban railway line will officially begin operation on December 22nd.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport, by 2030, Ho Chi Minh City will complete 31 km of urban railway, including Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien) and Line 2 (Ben Thanh - Tham Luong section). By 2035, Ho Chi Minh City will have approximately 183 km of urban railway. The total investment for the metro over the next 10 years is approximately 36 billion USD. By 2045, Ho Chi Minh City will have more than 168 km, and by 2060, the city's metro system will be completed with a total length of over 510 km.

Regarding cases eligible for fare exemptions or reductions, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee is submitting a resolution to the City People's Council on this matter. Accordingly, Ho Chi Minh City will use its budget to subsidize 100% of the fare for certain policy beneficiaries, including: people with meritorious service to the revolution; people with disabilities; the elderly (60 years and older); and children under 6 years old accompanied by an adult.

During the first 30 days of commercial operation of Metro Line 1, Ho Chi Minh City will also allocate budget to subsidize 100% of the fare for all passengers traveling on the train and on 17 connecting bus routes. According to calculations by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport, the operating cost for the free public experience of Metro Line 1 for 30 days is 15.7 billion VND. The cost to subsidize passengers using the 17 connecting bus routes for 30 days is 17.3 billion VND.

Bus connections and parking

The news that Ho Chi Minh City's Metro Line 1 will officially begin operation on December 22nd has brought great joy and excitement to many residents. Mr. Ngo Minh Quyen (32 years old, residing in Thu Duc City) said that when Metro Line 1 becomes operational, it will facilitate convenient and safe travel for residents and students from the suburbs to the city center. “What I'm concerned about now is how to get to and from the stations, whether I can park my personal vehicle at the stations, and how to get to these stations by bus,” Mr. Quyen said.

Ho Chi Minh City Metro Line 1 train. Photo: Duy Anh

Ms. Nguyen Tuyet Mai (residing in District 5) said that she was very excited about the news that Metro Line 1 is about to start operating, because this railway line will directly connect to the new Eastern Bus Station (Thu Duc City). “It’s too far from the city center to the new Eastern Bus Station. Now with the metro line, people can get to the bus station faster and safer. However, I also wonder, if I take the train from Ben Thanh Station in District 1, where will I park my motorbike?” Ms. Mai inquired.

Speaking to reporters, a representative of Ho Chi Minh City Metro Line 1 said that passengers traveling by metro from Ben Thanh station can park their vehicles at the September 23rd Park parking lot. This lot has a capacity of 1,000 motorbikes and 70 cars. For other stations, the Ho Chi Minh City Metro Management Board and other units are completing the construction of private parking lots, pedestrian walkways, and bus stops for feeder buses at locations near the stations.

In addition, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport has announced a list of bus routes connecting to Metro Line 1 Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien. This includes 61 bus routes directly connecting to 14 metro stations in districts and densely populated areas of Ho Chi Minh City.

The Department of Transport also announced a list of 17 new bus routes connecting to Metro Line 1 Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien. These 17 new routes include lines 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, and 169. These routes connect metro stations with densely populated areas, commercial centers, high-tech zones, colleges, and universities.

This is a non-subsidized bus service. For 30 days (starting from the date Metro Line 1 begins commercial operation on December 22nd), passengers using buses connecting to Metro Line 1 Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien will receive free fares as mentioned above.

Simultaneously, the Ho Chi Minh City Public Transport Management Center has completed 67 bus shelters, 196 bus stops, and pedestrian walkways at 11 locations near elevated stations and along both sides of the bus network connecting to the stations of Metro Line 1. In addition, several stations connecting to apartment buildings along the metro line have also been completed, preparing to serve when Metro Line 1 becomes operational.

Huu Huy

Source: https://tienphong.vn/van-hanh-metro-tphcm-giao-thong-ket-noi-ra-sao-post1694450.tpo