Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro line starts commercial operation after years of delays

November 06, 2021 | 21:14

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The Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro line, the first of its kind in Vietnam, was officially put into commercial operation today after 10 years of construction and eight years of delays.

Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro line starts commercial operation after years of delays

Hanoi's first metro line between Cat Linh and Ha Dong has finally been launched on November 6

The line runs from Cat Linh in Ba Dinh district to Ha Dong district, and is more than 13km long, and has 12 stations and 13 trains. Each train has a designed speed of 80kph and pulls four carriages capable of carrying around 950 passengers together.

According to Vu Hong Truong, general director of Hanoi Railway Ltd., there are 733 employees to operate the metro line.

All passengers will be offered free travel during the first 15 days of operation, that is until November 21. Afterwards, single tickets will be sold for VND8,000-15,000 (35-65 US cents), a day ticket for VND30,000 ($1.30) for unlimited rides, and a monthly ticket for VND200,000 ($8.70). The monthly tickets will be given out for half the price to students and workers at industrial parks. Businesses can purchase the monthly pass for their employees at VND140,000 ($6).

Journeys will be free for seniors, children under six, people with disabilities, and people designated by the government as poor. The ticket prices are supported by Hanoi's authorities to increase the acceptance and usage of public transport.

A full trip from Cat Linh to the south-western district of Ha Dong will take 25 minutes, and trains will run from 5am to 11pm, every day.

The metro line had the total investment of approximately $886 million, much more than the original estimate of $381.3 million.