HCM City’s first metro line is set to commence commercial operations on July 1. — VNA/VNS Photo Quang Châu

HCM CITY — HCM City authorities have announced that the first metro line will begin commercial operations on July 1.

Director of the HCM City Urban Railway No. 1 Company Limited Lê Minh Triết said the line between Bến Thành Market in District 1 and Suối Tiên Theme Park in Thủ Đức City would commence operations in two phases.

In phase 1, from July 1 to September 30, the company will operate seven pairs of trains consisting of three coaches each between 5am and 10pm. They will run at 10-minute intervals.

In phase 2, from October 1 to December 31, the number will increase to 12 trains on weekdays and nine on weekends and holidays.

The operational hours will also be extending to 10:30pm. The frequency will range from eight to 10 minutes.

From January 1 next year operations will be based on the experience garnered this year.

The city Management Authority for Urban Railways said it would closely monitor work to ensure operations start in July as planned.

The line is 97 per cent complete, built at an estimated cost of VNĐ43.7 trillion (US$1.9 billion).

The proposed fares are VNĐ12,000 ($0.5) for journeys under 5km, VNĐ14,000 ($0.6) for 5-10km, VNĐ16,000 ($0.7) for 10-15km, and VNĐ18,000 ($0.8) subsequently.

A monthly pass will be available for VNĐ260,000 ($11), and tickets for one day and three days for VNĐ40,000 ($1.7) and VNĐ90,000 ($3.8).

The construction has been delayed numerous times and for long.

Originally scheduled for completion in 2018, it was first delayed by funding issues and then COVID-19.

The second metro line between Bến Thành Market and Tham Lương Depot in District 12 is also under construction and budgeted to cost VNĐ47.9 trillion ($2.03 billion).

The route will go through districts 1, 3, 10, 12, Tân Bình, and Tân Phú.

Its first phase will be more than 11km, including 9.3km below ground.

Work began in June last year and is scheduled to finish in 2030. — VNS