HCM City's much-anticipated first metro line saw its first test run on 9-km of elevated track between Suối Tiên Station and Bình Thái Station in December last year. — VNA/VNS Photo Tiến Lực

HCM CITY — HCM City plans to add three more metro lines to connect Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport and the Cần Giờ Sea Encroachment Project to the national railway system, and two national railway stations in the city, according to its Department of Transport.

The plan is part of the city’s urban planning efforts by 2040, with a vision to 2060, which aims to synchronise the city’s urban railway network.

It was detailed by the consulting unit Southern Transport Design Consultancy Joint Stock Company (Tedi South) at a recent meeting to research, review, and propose supplements and adjustments to the city’s urban railway network.

Accordingly, the first new line is proposed to connect terminals of Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in Tân Bình District to downtown HCM City and Thủ Thiêm New Urban Area in Thủ Đức City.

The line would also connect the planned Thủ Thiêm-Long Thành light rail project to the Long Thành International Airport under-construction in Đồng Nai Province.

Crossing Soài Rạp River, the second new line will link downtown HCM City with the ​​2,870-hectare Cần Giờ Sea Encroachment Project, also known as the Cần Giờ Tourism Urban Area Project in outlying Cần Giờ District.

With a length of 28 kilometres, the third new line will have the function of transporting passengers, and connect the two national railway stations of Thủ Thiêm and Tân Kiên in the city.

Besides the three new lines, the consultant unit has proposed other metro lines be extended to create an urban railway corridor along the Tây Bắc - Bến Thành - Thủ Thiêm - Long Thành route of more than 80km long.

Other lines are now also being considered for adjustments to connect them with urban railways in Bình Dương Province, an industrial hub neighbouring HCM City.

The city has already had plans for eight metro lines and three electric vehicle lines, spanning a total of 220 km, with an estimated investment capital of US$25 billion.

Among the metro lines, line No. 1 from Bến Thành Market in District 1 and Suối Tiên Theme Park in Thủ Đức City and line No. 2 between Bến Thành Market and Tham Lương Depot in District 12 are under construction, while the other lines are seeking funding and investment before beginning construction. — VNS