Optimize movement

TP - From December 22nd, Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien Metro) officially commenced operation. To serve passengers, in addition to existing bus routes, 17 new electric bus routes connecting to Metro Line 1 will be put into operation.

TP - From December 22nd, Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien Metro) officially commenced operation. To serve passengers, in addition to existing bus routes, 17 new electric bus routes connecting to Metro Line 1 will be put into operation.

The improved transportation connectivity ensures the operation of high-capacity public transport routes, contributing to changing the face of urban transportation in Ho Chi Minh City.

Synchronization

Electric buses are being prepared for operation on Metro Line 1 in Ho Chi Minh City.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Public Transport Management Center, the 17 electric bus routes connecting to Metro Line 1 are numbered from 153 to 169. Specifically: Route 153: Binh An Ferry Terminal - Lien Phuong Street (connecting An Phu Station); Route 154: Thanh My Loi Residential Area - Masteri An Phu (connecting Rach Chiec Station, An Phu Station); Route 155: Saigon Bus Station - City Theatre (connecting Ben Thanh Station and City Theatre Station, Ba Son Station); Route 156: Saigon Bus Station - Hoa Hung Station (connecting Ben Thanh Station); Route 157: Van Thanh Bus Station - Duc Khai Apartment Complex (connecting Thao Dien Station); Route 158: Van Thanh Bus Station - Thanh Da Residential Area (connecting Tan Cang Station); Route 159: Ngo Tat To Apartment Complex - Hang Xanh Intersection (connecting Van Thanh Station); Route 160: Van Thanh Station - Vinhomes Central Park (connecting Van Thanh Station); Route 161: Van Thanh Bus Station - Nga Tu Ga Bus Station (connecting Tan Cang Station); Route 162: Man Thien Apartment Complex - Hoa Lu Secondary School (connecting Binh Thai Station and Thu Duc Station); Route 163: College of Industry and Trade - Phuoc Binh Secondary School (connecting Binh Thai Station); Route 164: University of Agriculture and Forestry - Topaz Apartment Complex (connecting High-Tech Park Station and National University Station); Route 165: University of Agriculture and Forestry - High-Tech Park (connecting High-Tech Park Station); Route 166: National University - Suoi Tien (connecting National University Station); Route 167: University of Agriculture and Forestry - Linh Trung 1 Export Processing Zone (connecting High-Tech Park Station); Route 168: University of Technical Education - Binh Thai Intersection (connecting Binh Thai Station and Thu Duc Station); Route 169: Vincom Thu Duc - Tay Hoa Intersection (connecting to Binh Thai station).

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

The transportation company that won the bid to operate 17 feeder bus routes connecting to stations of Metro Line 1 is Phuong Trang Futabuslines Joint Stock Company. Speaking with reporters, a representative of Phuong Trang Futabuslines Joint Stock Company stated that the 150 electric buses put into operation in this phase were newly built at the Kim Long Motor Factory ( Hue ). The buses are easily identifiable by their distinctive colors, such as the public passenger transport system by bus (blue), Metro Line 1 trains (blue and white), the main colors of Thu Duc City (yellow, with a sunflower image), and also green, representing a green, environmentally friendly mode of transport. The exterior colors of the electric buses are stylized into wavy lines, with route numbers and names displayed using LED lights at the front and rear of the buses… making them easy for passengers to identify.

The vehicles are modern, standardized, and each has its own specific route map. Once operational, passengers can check information on the Go!Bus app, which displays accurate pick-up times and departure times. Passengers can use the automated payment system with various options such as bank apps and magnetic cards. Initially, to support the operation of 17 bus routes, the company built two charging and maintenance stations in Thu Duc City.

Ensure connection

Representatives from the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Board (MAUR) stated that, in phase 1 (the first 6 months), Metro Line 1 is expected to operate from 5 AM to 10 PM with 200 trips per day. In phase 2 (implemented after the completion of phase 1), this will increase to approximately 276 trips per day. Given its large transport capacity, the inefficient operation of Metro Line 1 would result in significant waste. Therefore, MAUR and the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport have considered options to seamlessly integrate the public passenger transport system with the bus system.

Specifically, the bus routes will be adjusted based on the metro line as the main artery, establishing a transfer point at Tan Cang station. Bus routes currently operating on the Hanoi Highway - Vo Nguyen Giap road axis, from the center of Ho Chi Minh City towards the suburbs, will be adjusted to connect to this transfer point.

"All 17 electric bus routes will collect passengers from residential areas, bus stations, high-tech zones, shopping malls, universities and colleges around Thu Duc City, Binh Thanh District, District 1... to metro stations No. 1," a MAUR representative informed.

According to Mr. Ngo Hai Duong, Head of the Road Transport Management Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport, the use of electric buses aims to ensure synchronous connection with the metro line. The operation of 17 connecting electric bus routes will gradually complete the public passenger transport network in the eastern area of ​​Ho Chi Minh City.

In addition to electric bus routes, the Department of Transport is considering using electric vehicles to transport tourists in the central area of ​​Ho Chi Minh City, connecting to three underground stations of Metro Line 1: Ben Thanh Station, City Theatre Station, and Ba Son Station. Operating on a shared ride model, the vehicles will be flexible in terms of routes and schedules, based on the needs of residents and tourists, to reduce costs and increase travel efficiency. Initially, the agency proposes two operating zones: the first zone will be in the city center with a radius of 5km from the underground stations to ensure coverage. The second zone will connect Tan Son Nhat Airport with the city center and Ben Thanh Station, running along Hoang Sa and Truong Sa streets, creating a connection between the airport, the metro line, and surrounding localities, and vice versa.

A representative from Saigon PT (the company operating electric vehicles for tourist transportation) stated that the distance between the three underground stations of Metro Line 1 in the central area of ​​Ho Chi Minh City is not too far, making the deployment of compact electric vehicles suitable. Regarding transportation plans, depending on actual operating intervals, the number of vehicles for this service is expected to range from 8 to 36 (including reserve vehicles), depending on the time of year and passenger demand.

"The operation of electric buses and trams connecting to Metro Line 1 contributes to the green energy transition, reducing carbon and methane emissions in the transportation sector in accordance with Decision No. 876 of the Prime Minister," a representative from the Ho Chi Minh City Public Transport Management Center added.

Trong Thinh - Huu Huy

Source: https://tienphong.vn/17-tuyen-buyt-dien-ket-noi-metro-1-tphcm-toi-uu-hoa-di-chuyen-post1699853.tpo