HCMC to offer one-month free travel on first metro line

The metro line investor is seeking approval from city authorities for the proposal for what will be the city’s first metro line, scheduled for opening early next year.

The fare plan for the first phase of operation has also been updated.

Under the new proposal, tickets for riding the metro line No. 1 will range from VND9,000-24,000 ($0.38-1.02) per trip, instead of VND9,000-23,000 as proposed last year.

Those choosing tickets for unlimited trips will pay VND48,000 per day and VND108,000 for three days, instead of VND46,000 and VND104,000 as previously planned.

A monthly pass will cost VND330,000 and half that for students. However, this will only be applied after the automatic toll-collection system of the line is upgraded.

The city also plans special exemption policies for people with disabilities, children, the elderly, and those who contributed to the country in wartime.

After several delays, the VND43.7-trillion (US$1.89 billion) metro line is 95% complete and expected to finally be finished this year.

The line spans 20 km, from Ben Thanh Station in District 1 to the Long Binh Depot in Thu Duc City.

It will have three underground stations and 11 elevated stations.

Stations along HCMC’s metro line No.1. Graphics by VnExpress/Hoang Khanh