Metro Line No. 1 (Ben Thanh Suoi Tien) - the first urban railway line of Ho Chi Minh City, costing more than 43,700 billion VND, will officially operate on December 22, after 12 years of construction.

"Up to now, 100% of the staff can confidently participate in operating metro line 1 safely, serving the people in the best way" - Deputy Director of Urban Railway Company No. 1 (HURC1) Van Thi Huu Tam shared.

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Personnel in charge of metro line 1. Photo: Hong Phuong.

Running nearly 200 trains per day in the first phase

Metro Line 1 has 17 trains, each train has 3 cars 61.5m long, can carry 930 passengers. Of which, 147 are seated and 783 are standing. The maximum designed speed is 110km/h (elevated section) and 80km/h (underground section).

According to Ms. Van Thi Huu Tam, in the initial phase of the operation, the train will run continuously from 5am to 10pm with a frequency of nearly 200 trips per day to meet people's travel needs, both on weekdays and weekends.

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Engineers and technicians check the equipment system of metro line 1 before the official operation day. Photo: Tuan Kiet.

Regarding train frequency, the company will flexibly adjust to suit passenger needs, especially during peak hours when passengers go to work and school.

In which, the morning peak hours are from 6-8am, noon from 11-12pm, afternoon from 3:30pm-6pm, train frequency is 8 minutes/trip with 9 trains operating at the same time on the route.

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Metro train No. 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien) will run nearly 200 trips per day, in the first phase of operation. Photo: Hong Phuong.

Ms. Tam said that the team of operations, maintenance and customer service staff have been thoroughly trained in professional skills, communication skills and handling of normal, degraded and emergency situations.

Along with that, the information system used for metro line 1 is modernly designed to provide information about train schedules, stops, direction signs, and important announcements to passengers.

In addition, metro line 1 also connects with other means of transport such as buses, taxis, bicycles, etc. to form a convenient transport network.

During the first month of operation, people will be given free tickets to ride metro line 1. After that, passengers will buy tickets at the price of 40,000 VND/person/ticket/day, with no limit on the number of trips per day. The price of a 3-day ticket is 90,000 VND.

Monthly ticket price: 300,000 VND/person/ticket/month; students: 150,000 VND (50% discount).

The fare for a one-way ticket paid in cash is from 7,000 - 20,000 VND depending on the route; the fare for a one-way ticket paid without cash is from 6,000 - 19,000 VND depending on the route.

Metro Line 1 accepts payment for fares in cash, coins, and domestic and foreign bank cards. Passengers can also use their existing bank cards or pay via Apple Pay/Google Pay/Samsung Pay to take the train.

People with disabilities are given maximum support to access metro line 1.

According to Ms. Van Thi Huu Tam, throughout metro line 1, the infrastructure and facilities are designed with separate walkways for the disabled with slopes suitable for wheelchairs. Elevators or escalators are provided in moving areas, and toilets are designed specifically for the disabled, making them easy to access and use.

For information support, signs have large, easy-to-read letters, and a Braille version for the visually impaired. The loudspeaker system ensures loud, clear operation.

The Company also provides personal assistance staff to help disabled passengers from the time they enter the station until they board the train: If the passenger is traveling with a relative, staff will come to guide them on how to use the facilities that are prioritized for the disabled.

If a passenger travels alone, the staff will directly assist: communicate with the passenger, lead the passenger on and off the train, push the passenger's wheelchair, help the passenger walk with crutches...

100 electric buses arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, ready to roll out to 'collect' passengers for metro line 1

100 electric buses arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, ready to roll out to 'collect' passengers for metro line 1

Nearly 100 electric buses for metro line 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien) have been transported to Ho Chi Minh City and are ready to roll out to serve people on December 20.
Taboos when taking metro line 1: Walking pets, talking loudly

Taboos when taking metro line 1: Walking pets, talking loudly

People taking metro train No. 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien) are not allowed to use roller skates, bring pets, or speak loudly...
Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien Metro starts test run, young girl excitedly checks in

Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien Metro starts test run, young girl excitedly checks in

Many young people in Ho Chi Minh City have quickly registered to try out metro line 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien) for free.