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| Following the continuous trial run phase, the Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro line will officially begin operation on December 22. (Photo: VNA) |
The pricing plan for the Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro line, approved by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, offers various options including single trips, daily, three-day, and monthly passes. For single trips, cash payments will range from VND7,000 to VND20,000, depending on the distance traveled. Non-cash payments will cost between VND6,000 and VND19,000 per trip. Monthly passes will be priced at VND300,000 per person, with a 50% discount (VND150,000) available for students. Additionally, passengers can purchase one-day or three-day passes for VND40,000 and VND90,000, respectively, with unlimited rides. Certain groups, such as the elderly and people with disabilities, will qualify for free tickets under city policies.
The fare structure was designed to be affordable for most residents, benchmarking against prices for the Cat Linh - Ha Dong metro line in Hanoi, bus services and private vehicles, aiming to enhance the metro's competitiveness and attract passengers. Ho Chi Minh City plans to issue over 2 million metro cards during the initial phase, with a daily passenger volume estimated at nearly 40,000.
In the first 30 days of commercial operations, passengers using the Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro line and 17 connected bus routes will be offered free rides to encourage public use of the city’s inaugural metro line.
Since October, the metro line has been in a trial operation phase, with trains running at intervals of 4 minutes and 30 seconds to 10 minutes, simulating scenarios akin to commercial operations in preparation for passenger service next month.
Approved in 2007 and commencing construction in 2012, the Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro line spans nearly 20 kilometers, connecting the city center to its eastern gateway. The line includes 11 elevated stations and 3 underground stations, with a total investment exceeding VND43.7 trillion./.