Metro Line 1 had to run additional trains and operate at full capacity to serve the needs of 150,000 passengers on the first day of official operation, far exceeding the plan of 27,000 passengers.
This afternoon (December 23), the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Board (MAUR) coordinated with the Urban Railway One Member Co., Ltd. No. 1 (HURC1) to hold a press conference to inform about the operation of metro line No. 1.
At the press conference, Mr. Le Minh Triet - Director of HURC1 said that on the first day of official operation, metro line No. 1 was overloaded and operating at full capacity due to the huge demand for experience from the city's residents.
“We plan to operate 9 trains with a total of 140 trips to serve about 27,000 passengers. However, because the first day of operation coincided with Sunday, it attracted a lot of people to participate in the experience. Therefore, the unit had to adjust and put into operation 10 trains, operating from 10am to 10pm with 177 trips, serving 150,000 passengers,” Mr. Triet informed.
HURC1 leaders also said that today (December 23) from 5am to 4pm, there were 124 trips with 14,000 passengers traveling.
From early morning, many people go to Suoi Tien bus station (located at the new Mien Dong bus station) to go to the city center after returning to their hometowns, traveling... and many people use the metro to go to school and work.
Mr. Triet said that the metro line has initially been effective, becoming a means of transportation for many different types of passengers, from students, workers, to tourists; thereby, reducing traffic pressure on major roads and reducing environmental pollution.
"In a short time, I believe that people will form the habit of using public transport and reduce the use of personal vehicles. This is our wish and also the wish of the city government," said Mr. Triet.
Plan to clear guests during Christmas and New Year
In the coming days during Christmas and New Year, the operator of metro line 1 predicts an increase in passenger volume and a risk of overload.
Currently, the unit proposes that the Department of Transport increase the frequency of metro trips to serve people, and continue to coordinate with units to ensure safety, security and order during operation.
Mr. Phan Cong Bang - Head of the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Board (MAUR) assessed that metro line 1 was put into operation amid the expectations of the people and the government after many years of construction efforts.
With such a large amount of work and a tight deadline, mistakes are inevitable. However, the good news is that the metro line has been running smoothly with the enthusiastic support of the people.
After 1 day of operation, relevant units have inspected all items, in which some small unfinished items have been and are being handled to best serve the people.
"We have prepared plans to increase trips to relieve passengers during the upcoming peak days. If people still gather in large numbers causing overload at Ben Thanh underground station like on the first day of operation, we will coordinate with the police force to regulate.
“It is possible that this station will reduce the number of passengers boarding the train to make room for the next stations. Therefore, passengers will have to wait in line, this is inevitable, I hope people understand,” Mr. Bang expressed.
At the same time, Mr. Bang explained that in terms of operation, it is impossible to prevent passengers from boarding if the train is still empty. However, most passengers experience the route and then return to the starting point, which leads to the inability to pick up passengers at other stations.
Thereby, MAUR leaders recommend that people should not gather at Ben Thanh underground station but should divide into stations on the line to have a better metro experience.
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Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/metro-so-1-don-luong-khach-gap-5-5-lan-du-kien-len-phuong-an-cho-noel-va-tet-2355632.html
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