Metro train No. 1 test run on the entire line

Ho Chi Minh City: The 61.5 m long train of Metro Line No. 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien) first tested the entire route of nearly 20 km through 11 elevated stations and three underground stations on the morning of August 29.

According to the Urban Railway Management Board (MAUR - the investor), today's test will be divided into three train runs, starting at 9:15 and ending at 12:20. This is the first time Metro train No. 1 has run a test run on the entire line, including both elevated and underground routes, after internal technical inspections by the contractor Hitachi (Japan).

Train of Metro Line No. 1 project tested in April. Photo: Quynh Tran — Train of Metro Line No. 1 project tested in April. Photo: *Quynh Tran*

At 9:15 a.m., the train will depart from Ben Thanh underground station (District 1) and head to Suoi Tien terminal station (near the new Mien Dong bus station, Thu Duc City). On the way, the train will stop for about 5 minutes at the City Theater, Ba Son and Tan Cang stations for test participants to stand and visit. After that, the train will go straight to Suoi Tien station and then circle back to the starting point in Ben Thanh.

The second and third trips take place from 11am to 12:20pm. The departure point is also Ben Thanh station, but the train does not go all the way to An Phu elevated station, Thu Duc city, nearly 10km long. On the way, the train also stops at the City Theater, Ba Son and Tan Cang stations for about 5 minutes.

According to the design, the elevated section of Metro Line 1 allows trains to run at a maximum speed of 110 km/h, and 80 km/h for the underground section, but the test train will run at a low speed to ensure safety. Each test run today is expected to only allow 30 people on board.

Previously, the contractor Hitachi had installed and tested the underground systems synchronously, ensuring smooth connection with the elevated section. The locomotives and train cars for testing were also tested for related functions such as braking, traction systems, operator screens; overhead power supply, rails, etc.

According to the investor, the process of construction, installation and testing of the underground system is more complicated than the elevated one because of the limited space, while more equipment is needed. In addition, lighting and ventilation conditions are not favorable, but the contractor has accelerated the progress, ensuring the train test run plan for the entire route before the National Day holiday on September 2.

Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro route. Graphics: Khanh Hoang — Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien Metro Line Route. Graphics: *Khanh Hoang*

Since May last year, 17 trains of the Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien Metro Line, after being brought to Ho Chi Minh City, have been tested in the Long Binh Depot area and some elevated sections along the Hanoi Highway. The train testing is combined with checking the functions in the system to ensure smooth and synchronous operation.

The trains of Metro Line 1 are made in Japan, have three cars, and can accommodate 930 passengers (147 seated and 783 standing). This train line uses the information-based train control (CBTC) system, which is widely used in many countries such as Japan, China, Singapore, Thailand, etc. This system relies on wireless communication, real-time two-way transmission of information about the location, speed of the train, and distance between trains for control during operation.

Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien Metro is the first urban railway project in Ho Chi Minh City, with a total investment of more than 43,700 billion VND. The project has now reached more than 95% of its volume, and is constructing the final items in parallel with testing the train and all related systems such as automatic operation, protection, train monitoring combined with equipment systems at the station. This metro line is expected to be commercially exploited next year.