Metro line No. 1 tested the entire route for the first time.

On the morning of August 29, Ho Chi Minh City residents witnessed 17 trains of metro line No. 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien) test-running the entire route for the first time, covering a distance of nearly 40km. This is a special milestone after nearly 10 years of waiting.

On the morning of August 29th, preparations were underway for a full-line trial run of Metro Line 1 - Photo: CHAU TUAN

Hitachi, the contractor, has completed the installation and testing of the underground section to begin trial runs of Metro Line 1 along the entire route. 17 metro trains will run from Ben Thanh Station to Suoi Tien Station and vice versa.

During the trial run, 17 trains were run along the entire line, with 20 people participating. The contractor will assess safety, limit the number of personnel, and prepare solutions for emergency situations in the tunnel.

From the beginning of 2023 until now, the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Board and contractors have conducted testing. The testing has been divided into several stages, from static and dynamic testing to interface testing and integration testing.

The most challenging part was testing the tunnel section. Here, contractors had to both construct and test in cramped tunnel conditions, with limited space and less convenient communication compared to the elevated section.

Integrating systems in the basement is also more complicated because there are also lighting systems, fire protection systems, and various security equipment.

To ensure the completion progress of the metro line 1 project, the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Board said it will speed up the safety assessment of the system, testing, operation and trial exploitation for each section and the entire line.

Mr. Bui Xuan Cuong - Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee - attended the first test run of the entire metro line - Photo: CHAU TUAN

According to Tuoi Tre newspaper, at 9:30 AM on August 29th, Metro Line 1 began operating at Ben Thanh underground station (District 1). The train is expected to stop at three stations (City Theatre, Bason, and Tan Cang) during the full-line trial run.

On the metro train No. 1, Mr. Diep Nguyen (living in District 7) shared: “This is an event that not only me but also the people of Ho Chi Minh City are looking forward to. In Hanoi , we already have the Cat Linh - Ha Dong railway, and now we are preparing to have metro line No. 1.

"I hope that after it becomes operational, Metro Line 1 will help alleviate traffic congestion and increase passenger numbers at the new Eastern Bus Station," shared Diep Nguyen.

tuoitre.vn