Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien Metro is packed with people on weekend mornings

(Dan Tri) - After a week of being put into operation, Metro Line 1 is still not "hot", tens of thousands of people lined up to experience it on a weekend morning (December 29).

On the morning of December 29, tens of thousands of people in Ho Chi Minh City jostled and lined up to experience Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien) after a week of operation.

According to Dan Tri reporter, at around 9am, Ben Thanh underground station (District 1) was crowded with people coming to visit and experience the first metro line in Ho Chi Minh City.

People lined up in front of the ticket check area at Ben Thanh underground station on the morning of December 29.

"I took Metro Line 1 in the middle of the week. Today is the weekend, my children have a day off from school so I brought the whole family along. I didn't expect there to be so many passengers," said Mr. Duc (50 years old, living in Tan Binh district).

Inside Ben Thanh underground station, the aisles are almost full of passengers.

Ms. Phuong Thao (37 years old, living in District 7) said that she and her son stood in line for more than 30 minutes and still could not get down to the platform area to board the train. "My son and I took advantage of our day off to try metro train No. 1. We stood in line for more than 30 minutes and still could not get on the train," Ms. Thao said.

Many babies were carried on their parents' shoulders to wait in line to board the train.

On the morning of December 29, Urban Railway Company No. 1 (HURC1) announced that Metro Line No. 1 set a new record with more than 175,000 passengers on December 28. This number also increased by 450% compared to the planned transportation volume. The number of passengers traveling by Metro Line No. 1 was unprecedented, surpassing the number of passengers on the opening day of December 22 with nearly 150,000 passengers.

On the train, the compartments were packed with passengers. At some stations, the train driver had to use loudspeakers to tell passengers to wait for the next train because the train was already overloaded.

"Although it's a bit crowded and the queues are long, the metro experience is very interesting. The train runs smoothly and is cool. Hopefully, in a few years, the next metro lines will be put into operation," said Mr. Tung (62 years old).

Metro Line 1 trains consist of 3 carriages with a maximum capacity of 930 passengers (147 seated and 783 standing), equipped with equipment to assist people with disabilities, priority seats for pregnant women and the elderly...

As noon approaches, more and more people flock to the metro stations. During this period, people can go to all 14 stations of Metro Line 1 without having to register in advance. The city will waive the ticket fee for 30 days (from December 22 to January 20, 2025) for all metro users.

In the first 6 months, the following will be implemented: Opening time: 5am; Closing time: 10pm; Train running interval: 8-12 minutes/trip. The first day of opening the route will start at 10am. After 6 months, opening time: 5am; Closing time: 11:30pm; Train running interval: 5-10-15 minutes/trip (corresponding to the time frames: peak/normal/off-peak). Regarding ticket prices: Single ticket (trip ticket): Going to one station is 7,000 VND and going on the whole route is 20,000 VND/trip. Daily ticket: 40,000 VND, valid for one day and unlimited number of trips. 3-day ticket: 90,000 VND, valid for three days and unlimited number of trips. Monthly ticket (general, priority): General: 300,000 VND/month; Priority for students is 150,000 VND/month. Implement the free ticket policy for priority subjects according to Resolution 29/2024/NQ-HDND dated December 11, 2024 of the People's Council of Ho Chi Minh City (free for children under 6 years old, meritorious people, elderly people over 60 years old, people with disabilities). Passengers using personal vehicles can park at parking lots near metro line 1 stations (Van Thanh Park, Thao Dien, Rach Chiec, Phuoc Long, Binh Thai, Suoi Tien Bus Station, ...); Passengers traveling on metro line 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien) can use the pedestrian bridges at stations: Tan Cang, Thao Dien, An Phu, Rach Chiec, Phuoc Long, Binh Thai, Thu Duc, High-Tech Park and National University to safely and conveniently access utility works along Vo Nguyen Giap and Hanoi Highway.

Dantri.com.vn

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/xa-hoi/metro-ben-thanh-suoi-tien-chat-kin-nguoi-sang-cuoi-tuan-20241229124344931.htm