Metro Line 1 Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien has just been put into operation and has been enthusiastically welcomed by the people of Ho Chi Minh City. On the second day, many people used the metro to go to school and work.
Convenient, fast
Present at Ben Thanh Station (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City) from 6am on December 23, Giao thong Newspaper reporters recorded a large number of passengers getting on and off the metro trains. These were passengers using the metro on the second day of commercial operation, including many people going to work or school in the central area.
On Monday morning (December 23), trains to and from Ben Thanh station were very crowded with passengers because many people chose to go to work by metro.
Ms. Ngoc Hoa (living in An Phu ward, Ho Chi Minh City) shared that her house is about a 10-minute walk from An Phu metro station and about a 30-minute motorbike ride from her workplace. After the metro was put into operation, she decided to try this means of transport, both to experience it and to see if it is convenient and beneficial.
"It only takes me 10 minutes to get to District 1. Sitting on the metro feels very interesting, you can enjoy the scenery and relax, instead of jostling with motorbikes on the street. Although when I arrive at Ben Thanh station, I have to take another bus to get to work, it still feels very convenient. I will definitely be a regular passenger of the metro," said Ms. Hoa.
Similarly, Mr. Hong Phuc (residing in District 3), working near the Tan Van - National Highway 1 intersection (Binh Duong) said that every day to go to work, he has to travel nearly 50km round trip.
"I always have to go to work very early to avoid traffic jams and be on time, but during rush hour, I have to struggle with traffic jams and air pollution every day, which is very tiring. Therefore, I hope the metro line will be put into operation more than anyone else. From today, the journey to work will be a time to rest and relax," said Mr. Phuc.
Run 200 trains/day
According to the reporter, many people go to work or school to enjoy the cool space on the train cars. Besides, many people also take the opportunity to experience it.
Mr. Ton Lam Thinh, living in Thu Duc, used the metro to go to work.
Mr. Lai Duy Tan (75 years old) leisurely sat reading the newspaper on the metro and said: "If the city is covered with metro in the near future, people will definitely give up their personal vehicles and take the metro."
In the Ben Thanh station area, most of the people go from District 1, 3, 4 to areas such as Binh Thai, Thu Duc, Hi-Tech Park, National University... to go to work. Similarly, in the opposite direction, many people from stations in Thu Duc City go to the center to work.
Besides, many tourists returning from traveling, getting off at the new Eastern Bus Station (Suoi Tien Bus Station) also use the metro to go into the city.
A representative of Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Company No. 1 (the operator) said that compared to the first day of official operation, the second day was less overloaded. The stations, especially Ben Thanh station, were no longer too crowded. However, the unit still mobilized maximum staff and volunteers to the stations to support and guide people to get acquainted with the metro.
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Board, from December 23 onwards, metro line 1 will run 200 trains per day (including 100 outgoing trips and 100 return trips).
The first trip departs at 5am, the last trip departs at 10pm. The interval between each trip is 8 minutes during peak hours and 12 minutes during off-peak hours. The travel time from Ben Thanh station to Suoi Tien bus station is 29 minutes.
Will develop metro system synchronously
Metro Line 1 was put into operation after more than 17 years of waiting by the people and efforts of the Ho Chi Minh City government. The operation of this line is considered the first brick in the journey to build a metro system covering the entire Ho Chi Minh City in the future.
Mr. Bui Xuan Cuong, Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, stated that metro line 1 is not only a modern urban transport project but also a symbol of the city's aspirations for growth, integration and sustainable development.
In the next phase, Mr. Cuong said, Ho Chi Minh City will continue to prioritize, focus on investing, and synchronously develop urban railway lines in the planning, and strongly develop according to the TOD model. Therefore, Mr. Cuong hopes that the city's residents and tourists will actively support to maximize the effectiveness of the urban railway line after its official operation.
Metro Line 1 was approved for investment by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee in 2007 and officially started construction in 2012. The total construction time of the project was over 17 years with many difficulties and challenges. However, based on past experience, Ho Chi Minh City aims to build 7 metro lines with a length of 355km in the next 10 years.
Upcoming metro lines are oriented to increase underground length to reduce compensation costs and effectively exploit underground space, combined with urban beautification.
Following metro line 1, the construction project of metro line 2 (Ben Thanh - Tham Luong) is also being urgently implemented.
To date, the project has completed the procedures for issuing a decision on compensation for site clearance, reaching 100%. The project has implemented construction of electrical works, water supply, drainage, and signage. Recently, the relocation and connection of the 110kV underground high-voltage cable line serving the construction of the S2 - Tao Dan station of metro line 2 has also been completed, ensuring 100% clean site for construction.
The project has a total investment of nearly 48,000 billion VND, a total length of about 11.3km (9.3km underground and 2km above ground), with 10 underground stations and 1 above ground station. Metro 2 started construction on February 17, at Ben Thanh central station. The project passes through 6 districts, including: 1, 3, 10, 12, Tan Binh, Tan Phu with a total reclaimed area of 251,136m2.
Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/tphcm-nhieu-nguoi-bo-xe-ca-nhan-de-di-metro-192241223220335085.htm
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