Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien Metro officially operates, free for 1 month

TPO - After the inauguration ceremony, from 10am on December 22, 14 stations of Ho Chi Minh City Metro Line 1 will simultaneously open to welcome passengers. During the first month of operation, people will be able to take the metro for free.

TPO - After the inauguration ceremony, from 10am on December 22, 14 stations of Ho Chi Minh City Metro Line 1 will simultaneously open to welcome passengers. During the first month of operation, people will be able to take the metro for free.

Ho Chi Minh City leaders and the Japanese ambassador to Vietnam performed the ceremony to announce the operation of metro line No. 1 Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien. Photo: Huu Huy

On the morning of December 22, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee held a ceremony to officially announce the operation of Ho Chi Minh City's urban railway line No. 1 (metro No. 1: Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien).

At the ceremony, Mr. Phan Cong Bang - Head of the HCMC Urban Railway Management Board informed that the HCMC Urban Railway Line No. 1 has a total length of 19.7km, with 14 stations. The project uses ODA capital from the Japanese Government and domestic counterpart funds. To date, the project has completed 100% of the total volume with 65 million safe working hours at the construction sites.

"We expect metro line No. 1 to receive active support from the people of the city and the region to maximize the effectiveness of the project. In the coming time, we are committed to implementing the next urban railway projects with a spirit of creativity, breakthrough and high determination; contributing to building a green, sustainable, civilized and modern transportation system" - Mr. Phan Cong Bang said.

Mr. Phan Cong Bang - Head of Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Board. Photo: Huu Huy

Mr. Le Minh Triet - Director of Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Company No. 1 (HURC1, the route operator) said that, overcoming many difficulties and challenges, up to now, the company's employees have achieved the goal of receiving and operating and actually operating the Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien urban railway line No. 1 from October 1, 2024 to December 19, 2024 with 4,565 trains and more than 85,000km, completing the tests and assessments of the consulting units.

"The work of building a legal corridor and ordering mechanism for ship operations and project maintenance has been basically completed, ensuring a long-term stable financial mechanism," Mr. Triet informed.

Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen experiences metro train No. 1 Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien. Photo: Huu Huy

According to the representative of HURC1, after the inauguration ceremony, from 10:00 a.m. on December 22, 14 stations of Metro Line No. 1 will open to welcome passengers. According to the Resolution of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council, in the first month of operation (from December 22, 2024 to January 20, 2025), people taking the Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro train will be exempted from ticket fees.

In the first 6 months, the operating unit opens the route at 5:00 a.m. and closes the route at 10:00 p.m.; trains run regularly every 8-12 minutes/trip. After 6 months, the route opens at 5:00 a.m. and closes at 11:30 p.m.; regularly every 5-10-15 minutes/trip (corresponding to peak/normal/off-peak hours).

People can use MasterCard to take the HCMC metro. Photo: Huu Huy

Ticket prices include: one-way ticket (trip ticket) for one station is 7,000 VND and for the whole route is 20,000 VND/trip. Daily ticket costs 40,000 VND, valid for one day and has no limit on the number of trips. 3-day ticket costs 90,000 VND, valid for 3 days and has no limit on the number of trips. Monthly ticket for general passengers is 300,000 VND/month; monthly ticket for priority subjects (students) is 150,000 VND/month. Children under 6 years old, meritorious people, the elderly (over 60 years old), and people with disabilities are exempt from tickets.

Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen (left) and Mr. ITO Naoki - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam go down to Ben Thanh underground station to take the metro. Photo: Huu Huy

Speaking at the ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Bui Xuan Cuong said that Metro Line 1 is not only a modern urban transport project, but also a symbol of the aspiration to rise, integrate and develop sustainably of Ho Chi Minh City. This project marks an important milestone in realizing the planning of the public transport system, meeting the needs of people to move quickly and effectively, contributing to reducing traffic pressure and environmental pollution.

"This journey is not only proof of the city government's persistent efforts, but also demonstrates the effective companionship and cooperation between the Vietnamese Government and the Japanese Government," said Mr. Cuong.

Ben Thanh station staff prepare to serve passengers on the first day of operation. Photo: Huu Huy

Mr. Bui Xuan Cuong added that the metro line 1 project has completed all the conditions according to regulations to officially operate, exploit and start a new chapter in the journey of developing modern urban transport. Metro line 1 will become a modern public space, part of the vibrant urban culture of Ho Chi Minh City, the starting point for new beginnings, creative inspiration and memorable moments.

The first people to experience the Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro train No. 1 on the first day of operation. Photo: Huu Huy

"We believe that the HCMC metro will become a symbol of modernity and connection in daily life, a favorite check-in location for tourists and residents, and at the same time contribute to creating connections, not only geographically but also as a place to meet, exchange, and share interesting experiences. In the next phase, HCMC will continue to prioritize and focus on investing and synchronously developing urban railway lines in urban transport planning, strongly developing according to the TOD model, aiming to build HCMC into a smart, modern, sustainable city in the future - a symbol of innovation, connection and urban civilization" - Mr. Bui Xuan Cuong said.

Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai (right) and Mr. ONO Masuo - Consul General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City experience metro train No. 1. Photo: Huu Huy

Ho Chi Minh City leaders and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam experience metro train No. 1. Photo: Huu Huy

Mr. ITO Naoki - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam said that Ho Chi Minh City Metro Line 1 is the first metro line in Vietnam. This is the project with the largest ODA loan from Japan for Vietnam and is a symbolic project of Japan - Vietnam cooperation. Line 1 connects areas with high transportation demand and will create a major shift in people's means of transportation from cars and motorbikes to urban railways.

“In the relationship with Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City, based on cooperative relations like this project, Japan hopes to carry out necessary cooperation for the extension of Ho Chi Minh City metro line No. 1 and Hanoi metro line No. 2,” said Mr. ITO Naoki.

Huynh

Source: https://tienphong.vn/metro-ben-thanh-suoi-tien-chinh-thuc-van-hanh-mien-phi-1-thang-post1702952.tpo