A train during the test run at the Cầu Giấy - Nhổn section on Monday. VNA/VNS Photo Hoàng Hiếu

HÀ NỘI — The elevated section of Nhổn - Hà Nội Station metro line has started its test runs and is planned to begin operating at the end of this year. 

The line attained total capacity on the first day of the trial at the beginning of this week and the system runs smoothly, Hà Nội Metropolitan Railway Management Board (MRB) said after the trials.

According to the plan, the second phase of tests will start immediately after RAMS (Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, Safety) analysis is completed, with different scenarios that hinder train operations such as power failure or fire. 

During the first trial phase for RAMS analysis, the metro line will run on two schedules: four trains for the weekend schedule and eight for the weekday schedule at maximum, from 9am to 7pm. 

Trains will conduct round trips from Nhổn depot to S8 Station at Hanoi University of Transport and Communications. 

A round trip will take approximately 32 minutes. 

The line performance is measured through the Automatic Train Supervision system and reported at the operators’ 7pm daily meeting. 

In the case where the consecutive five-day runs did not meet the performance target (below 98 per cent), the trial could last up to six weeks until requirements are met. 

A train departs from the station at Việt Nam National University, Hà Nội. VNA/VNS Photo Tuấn Anh

Construction of Nhổn - Hà Nội Station metro line officially started in 2010. Challenges during the process have led to years of delays, investment increases, contract adjustments and complaints. 

Some of the reasons include land clearance issues, contractors’ capacity and coordination between the consulting agencies, investors and city departments. 

Other obstacles are differences between the FIDIC (The International Federation of Consulting Engineers) contract and Vietnamese laws, regulations of transferring ODA (official development assistance) in Việt Nam and of sponsors, standards and pricing on materials and equipment, as well as pandemic-induced lockdown. 

Lê Trung Hiếu, MRB vice director said that these issues have been addressed to put the project back on schedule. 

The metro line’s elevated section and the depot are now finished. Operations are planned to start at the end of this year after the trial run. 

During a visit to the urban railway project in early August, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính ordered that the elevated section must be completed on December 31 this year at the latest. 

He also gave the direction to reduce the construction time for the underground section by half, compared to the consulting unit’s proposal of five years, by 2027. 

According to the capital city’s transport planning by 2030 with a vision to 2050, Hà Nội will have 10 urban railway lines, which will be connected to other means of public transport. 

Lê Thu Nga, a resident of Hà Đông District said: “I have been to many countries and experienced their public transport services, including elevated urban railway. 

“I think the Cát Linh - Hà Đông line is nothing inferior, even newer and more beautiful than some of the lines in Europe. 

“However, it only runs a short distance, so I really hope that Nhổn - Hà Nội Station line will soon go into operation and connect with bus lines for convenient travel, therefore allowing elevated urban railways to perform its full capacity.” — VNS