Saigon metro trains vandalized with graffiti

The act of supposed vandalism at Long Binh Depot of Thu Duc City was discovered last Saturday by a contractor staff.

This is the first time trains from Metro Line No. 1, which will run 19.7 kilometers from Ben Thanh Market in District 1 to Suoi Tien Theme Park in Thu Duc, have suffered interference since the first train arrived in October, 2020.

The investor, HCMC Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR), said security is typically tight at Long Binh Depot and that the contractor is charged with protecting all metro assets.

The MAUR is working with relevant units to verify the case.

Trains for HCMC’s Metro Line No. 1 at Long Binh Depot in Thu Duc City, May 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran

The last among 17 trains of the Metro Line No. 1 was put on track in Long Binh last month after the last two arrived from Japan.

All 17 trains were produced in Japan. Comprising three cars to carry 930 passengers max, each train is 21 meters long, four meters high, and weighs 37 tons.

Built in 2012, Long Binh Depot spreads over 20 hectares to serve as a control center and train maintenance yard.

Set to cost over VND43.7 trillion ($1.89 billion), HCMC’s first metro has three underground stations and 11 on the surface.

After several delays, the line is now more than 90 percent complete.

As per the latest plan, trains would start to run on a trial basis in August before the entire line enters commercial operation at the end of next year.