Number of Ho Chi Minh City metro riders 300% higher than forecast
Wednesday, January 08, 2025, 19:34 GMT+7
Passenger numbers on Ho Chi Minh City’s first metro line during its initial two weeks of operation exceeded expectations by 300 percent, according to the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway No. 1 Company Limited (HURC).
The surge in ridership was attributed to the free-ride policy implemented during the metro's first 30 days, starting December 22.
Between its launch and mid-January, the metro served over 1.7 million passengers across 3,029 trips, according to a Vietnamplus report.
Ridership peaked on January 1, with a record 275,144 passengers in a single day. To accommodate demand, HURC operated 200 trips daily, occasionally increasing to 246 trips.
The influx of more than 11,000 passengers daily required additional support at stations.
Staff provided assistance to individuals with disabilities, families with children, and ill passengers, as well as helping locate lost belongings.
To ensure smooth operations, HURC increased staffing during peak hours, guided passengers during boarding and disembarking, and bettered station information systems.
However, challenges arose with some passengers ignoring safety rules, such as blocking train doors, standing outside safety zones, taking photos with tripods in hazardous areas, and boarding or alighting as doors closed.
Despite these issues, employees have worked diligently to maintain cleanliness and order on trains and at stations.
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| Many residents are getting used to using the metro mine No. 1 in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre |
Pushing incidents on escalators and at ticket gates, along with unqualified passengers using elevators, have been common on the metro line.
Despite warnings, some passengers brought food into stations and allowed pets to roam off-leash, creating safety risks and disrupting the experience for others.
These behaviors have put additional strain on station staff, prompting HURC to urge passengers to follow regulations and contribute to building a modern, civilized transit environment.
The Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro line cost VND43.7 trillion (US$1.7 billion) to build.
It features 2.6 kilometers of underground track and 17.1 kilometers of elevated rail.
With 17 trains, each accommodating up to 930 passengers -- including 147 seated and 783 standing -- the metro aims to revolutionize urban transport in Ho Chi Minh City.
Free rides will continue until January 20.
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