With only 40 days remaining until the conclusion of the high-intensity 50-day race to officially launch Metro Line No. 1, the people and leadership of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) are counting down the days to a historic moment — the city’s first metro line coming into operation after 16 years of anticipation.
Sprinting to the Finish Line
This morning (November 7), the HCMC People’s Committee held a ceremony to award commendations to contractors with outstanding achievements in expediting the completion of construction packages for the Metro Line No. 1 project (Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien line). According to the HCMC Urban Railway Management Board (MAUR), which oversees the project, the construction, equipment installation, and training of train drivers and operators have essentially been completed after years of effort.
Trial operations began on October 1, following extensive theoretical and practical training for employees of HURC1 Company. This trial phase is conducted in two stages: stage one is led by Japanese NJPT consultants, and stage two is conducted by HURC1 employees.
Scheduled to last until November 17, the trial runs will involve 47 different scenarios, covering routine operations and emergency situations like fires, power outages, flooding, and signal loss across various points on the metro line, including both elevated sections and tunnels. MAUR has finalized agreements with Hitachi and construction contractors for the use of their equipment during training and trial operations. During this phase, trains will run as they would during commercial operations, with an interval of 4 minutes and 30 seconds between departures.
Personnel from all positions, including train drivers, central control center (OCC) operators, and station staff, will be mobilized. A total of 71 individuals will participate in each trial shift, with two shifts planned per day. Concurrently, system safety consultants from the BVT (a joint venture between France’s Bureau Veritas and Vietnam’s TEDI) will monitor, witness, and assess the proficiency of HURC1 personnel in emergency scenarios.
From November 18 to 31, the safety assessment consultants will complete a report to submit to the Railway Administration for safety certification as mandated by railway law. Subsequently, the State Construction Acceptance Council under the Ministry of Construction will conduct a final review to approve the project’s commercial launch, anticipated for December.
Following directives from the government and city leadership, Metro Line No. 1 must fulfill all procedures for official operation by 2024. While the task is daunting and challenging, it also represents immense pride and trust in MAUR and the HCMC Urban Railway Company Ltd. To meet this goal, MAUR must address significant work volumes, including long-standing issues requiring close coordination with relevant agencies. This is a time that demands extraordinary effort and urgency. Thus, MAUR initiated a 50-day intensive campaign from October 28 to December 20, involving nonstop efforts to ensure Metro Line No. 1 enters official operation this year.
Fully Prepared for Train Operations
To facilitate the commercial operation of HCMC’s first metro line, the city has recently issued regulations governing the management and operation of urban rail transport. These include seven chapters covering various aspects of metro management, such as construction and announcement of weight and speed limits; schedule creation and transport management; passenger service; rights and obligations of passengers and enterprises; and responsibilities of related agencies and organizations.
The train schedule will be prepared annually, ensuring appropriate train frequency and speeds based on infrastructure capacity and punctual service. Details will be made public through mass media. Regarding passenger transport, notable aspects include station naming conventions and ticketing policies. Station names must be unique on the same rail line and reflect local landmarks, history, culture, and traditions. Facilities like bus stops, bicycle parking, and pick-up/drop-off points will be prioritized around metro stations.
Tickets for the metro are divided into two main types: single-ride and pre-paid. Single-ride tickets are valid for one trip on a rail line within a single day, while pre-paid tickets allow regular travel for a day or longer on one or multiple lines. Ticket systems at stations will offer electronic payment options, enabling passengers to pay via cash, bank cards, or e-payment services. Once officially set, ticket prices must be posted at stations and online before implementation.
On November 4, the HCMC Department of Transport submitted a proposal to the city’s Office of the People’s Committee, recommending public disclosure of a draft resolution by the City Council on policies supporting public transport users by bus and metro, as well as funding for public passenger transport operations. Specifically, the city budget will fully subsidize fares for certain groups, including veterans, people with disabilities, seniors (aged 60 and older), and children under six accompanied by adults. During the first 30 days of Metro Line No. 1’s operation, HCMC will cover 100% of fares for all passengers and for 17 bus routes connected to the metro.
The HCMC Department of Transport estimates an annual budget of over 32.6 billion VND for these policy supports, with 15.7 billion VND allocated for the first 30 days of metro operations and 17.3 billion VND for passengers using 17 bus routes. In addition to fare exemptions, HCMC will subsidize operating costs for public transport services. The city budget will offset revenue shortfalls between ticket sales and operating expenses.
The total annual budget for public passenger transport support by bus and metro is projected to be 2,226 billion VND, including 1,843 billion VND for bus operations and 383 billion VND for metro services. This policy is expected to be presented at the December 2024 session of the HCMC Council and, if approved, will be effective from January 1, 2025, aiming to encourage public transport use, reduce traffic congestion, and minimize environmental pollution.
According to a fare proposal recently submitted to the HCMC People’s Committee, passengers on Metro Line No. 1 (Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien) will pay 6,000 to 20,000 VND per trip, depending on payment method and distance. Cash payments for single tickets range from 7,000 to 20,000 VND, while non-cash payments will have a slight discount of 6,000 to 19,000 VND per trip. Monthly passes, allowing unlimited rides, are priced at 300,000 VND, with students eligible for a 50% discount at 150,000 VND per month. Additional ticket options include one-day and three-day passes, priced at 40,000 VND and 90,000 VND, respectively.
Cre: Thanh Nien News
