The train arrives at S8 Station in Cầu Giấy District at 9:22 am on Thursday. —VNA/VNS Photo Huy Hùng

HÀ NỘI — The elevated section of the Nhổn-Hà Nội Railway Station urban railway line, spanning 8.5 km, was officially opened to passengers at 8am on Thursday morning in Hà Nội, marking the second metro line to be operational in the country following Cát Linh-Hà Đông line.

Passengers at a station to take the train on Thursday morning. —VNA/VNS Photo Huy Hùng

The elevated segment, extending from Nhổn area to Cầu Giấy District, consists of eight stations of Nhổn (S1); Minh Khai (S2); Phú Diễn (S3); Cầu Diễn (S4); Lê Đức Thọ (S5); Đại Học Quốc Gia (S6); Chùa Hà (S7) and Cầu Giấy (S8).

During the first 15 days of commercial operation, all passengers will travel free of charge, in accordance with a resolution from the People's Council of Hà Nội.

Many passengers were there to experience a free ride for the train on Thursday morning.—VNA/VNS Photo Tuấn Anh

Following the initial period, the standard monthly fare will be VNĐ200,000 (US$8). A 50 per cent discount will be available for students and industrial workers.

Passengers record the moment of their first time riding the elevated train on Thursday morning.—VNA/VNS Photo Tuấn Anh

The ticket will be VNĐ140,000 ($5.5) for those purchasing group tickets of 30 or more.

Passengers on the elevated train of the Nhổn-Hà Nội Railway Station urban railway line on Thursday morning in Hà Nội.—VNA/VNS Photo Tuấn Anh

Single journey tickets will be priced at VNĐ24,000 ($1), allowing unlimited travel along the line for the day.

Tickets for travel between stations will range from VNĐ8,000 ($0.3) to VNĐ12,000 ($0.5).

Passengers get off the elevated train at Cầu Giấy Station on Thursday morning in Hà Nội.—VNA/VNS Photo Tuấn Anh

In the first three months, except for the opening day, the line will be operational from 5.30am until 10pm everyday, with trains arriving and departing every ten minutes.

In contrast to the Cát Linh-Hà Đông urban railway line, the first one to be operational in Hà Nội as well as in the country, passengers on the Nhổn-Hà Nội Railway Station urban railway line will use circular tokens which resemble coins, imprinted with the symbol of the city, the Khuê Văn Các (Pavilion of Constellation Literary) part of the UNESCO World Documentary Heritage site of Temple of Literature.

Passengers get off the elevated train at a station on Thursday morning in Hà Nội.—VNA/VNS Photo Huy Hùng

To pass through ticket barriers, passengers will scan their tickets to open the gates and insert them into a validating machine at their destination to exit.

Tickets are valid for 20 minutes from purchase - failure to board the train within the period requires a visit to the ticket counter for validation.

The train enters Cầu Diễn Station on Thursday morning in Hà Nội.—VNA/VNS Photo Tuấn Anh

The Nhổn- Hà Nội Railway Station urban railway line spans 12.5 km, with the elevated section covering 8.5 km and the underground section covering 4 km.— VNS

The metro line as seen from above. — VNA/VNS Photo

The metro's ticket token for a single ride. — VNA/VNS Photo

The metro line as seen from above. — VNA/VNS Photo