The testing phase is expected to be completed in the next few months, and the first trains will be delivered to Việt Nam by the second quarter of the year, according to Hitachi, the maker of the trains.

Each train features three cars, with a total length of 61.5 metres. They can travel at a maximum speed of 110km per hour above ground and 80km per hour underground. 

Each train can carry up to 930 passengers with room for 147 seats and 783 people standing. 

The train will be extended to carry six cars in the future when demand increases.

The underground infrastructure is now in place in District 1, and work is being done to complete installation of the rail systems, electrical and mechanical equipment, and signals.

HCM City’s first metro line trains are undergoing final technical inspection in Japan before being brought to Việt Nam. — Photo courtesy of HCM City Management Authority for Urban Railways

When the metro trains arrive in Việt Nam, the HCM City Management Authority for Urban Railways will run technical inspections in the upper metro section from Bình Thái to Long Bình depot until the end of this year.

As of February, the completion rate of the entire first metro line had reached 71 per cent. The line is expected to reach 85 per cent of its workload by the end of this year. 

Speaking at a recent meeting, Nguyễn Thành Phong, chairman of the city People’s Committee, said that construction on the line would be sped up this year so it could open by the end of 2021.

HCM City Urban Railway Company Ltd No 1, the operator of the line, is making preparations, and its staff have been sent to Japan to take part in training courses on management and operation.

The operator said that it was offering training for 58 drivers of trains. 

Nearly 700 people for management, operation and maintenance positions are needed for the line.

The line is the first of the city’s eight proposed routes. It comprises four main packages and is funded in part through an official development assistance loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Since construction began in 2012, it has faced many problems, including slow fund disbursement and a personnel crisis. 

The line, which is nearly 19.7km long with total investment of VNĐ46.3 trillion (US$1.97 billion), has 14 stations (11 elevated stations and three underground stations) through districts 1, 2, 9, Bình Thạnh and Thủ Đức and neighbouring Bình Dương Province. 

Construction on the second metro line between Bến Thành Market in District 1 and Tham Lương in District 12 is expected to start soon next year and have a trial run and then open in 2026.

The second metro line’s adjusted total capital is about VNĐ47.9 trillion ($2 billion). — VNS