Ha Noi: Second metro line starts commercial run
VGP - The elevated section of the Nhon-Ha Noi Station metro line in Ha Noi began operation on Thursday, becoming the second metro line to open to the public in Viet Nam.
The 8.5 km elevated section is the second metro line not only in Ha Noi but also in Viet Nam, providing residents with a fast, high-capacity, civilized and modern mode of transport, which is expected to help reduce traffic congestion in the capital city.
Since early August 8, hundreds of people queued at the stations to receive free tickets on the first day service of the metro line.
The railway line will offer free rides to passengers during its first 15 days, starting August 8.
After that, fares will be VND8,000 (US$0.30) per single ride between any two stations and VND12,000 ($0.50) for the entire route.
Daily passes will be available for VND24,000 ($1), allowing unlimited rides within a day.
Monthly passes will cost VND200,000 ($7.90) and VND100,000 ($4) for students.
Ha Noi also offers free rides to children under six years old, revolutionary contributors, people over 60 years old, and the disabled.
The elevated segment, extending from Nhon area to Cau Giay District, comprises eight stations of Nhon (S1), Minh Khai (S2), Phu Dien (S3), Cầu Diễn (S4), Le Duc Tho (S5), Dai Hoc Quoc Gia (S6), Chua Ha (S7) and Cau Giay (S8).
In the first three months the line will be operational from 5.30am until 10pm everyday, with trains arriving and departing every ten minutes.
The Nhon - Ha Noi Station metro line runs 12.5 kilometers from Nhon in Nam Tu Liem District to the Ha Noi Railway Station in the downtown area, with 8.5 kilometers on elevated stations, four kilometers with four underground stations, and one depot.
Work on the metro line began on September 25, 2010 and its completion was initially scheduled for 2016. However, the project was delayed several times for various reasons, increasing its total investment to VND34.5 trillion (US$1.4 billion) from VND18 trillion (US$712 million).
The underground section is currently 43.5 percent complete and is expected to be finished by December 2027. Construction of the underground section of the metro line began on July 30 at Kim Ma Station (S9) with two customized tunnel boring machines.
Passengers are eager to experience the route, Ha Noi, August 8, 2024
The boarding and lighting areas at a station of the Nhon-Ha Noi Railway Station urban railway line - Photo: VOV
A customer at an automatic ticketing system at a station of the Nhon-Ha Noi Railway Station urban railway line, Ha Noi, August 8, 2024
