Hanoi (VNA)🐠 - The 8.5km elevated section of the Nhon-Hanoi Station metro line provided free rides for over 250,000 passengers in its first four days of operation from August 8-11, according to its operator Hanoi Metro Co, Ltd.

This figure was significantly higher than that recorded on the Cat Linh-Ha Dong line, which was put into commercial use in November 2021. The company reported that the metro line recorded over 34,000 passengers on August 8, more than 52,000 on August 9 and over 66,000 on August 10. The peak was reached on August 11, when the Nhon-Cau Giay section saw over 100,000 passengers. These numbers far exceeded initial expectations, it noted, citing previously, the 13.1km Cat Linh - Ha Dong, the first metro line in the country, had a peak day on May 1, 2023, with just over 58,000 passengers. Vu Hong Truong, General Director of Hanoi Metro Co, Ltd, commented on the unexpected popularity of the Nhon - Cau Giay section, noting that this reflects growing public interest and trust in the metro system. During peak times, it accommodated about 12,500 passengers per station, with an average of 320.5 passengers per train, all while maintaining safety. The Nhon-Hanoi Station metro line is 12.5 kilometers long. It has eight elevated and four underground stations. The 8.5-kilometer elevated section will run from the Nhon area in Bac Tu Liem district to Cau Giay district, and the four-kilometer underground section from Cau Giay district to Hanoi Railway Station in Dong Da district. The section passes by 11 universities, including Hanoi University of Industry, Vietnam University of Commerce, Hanoi National University of Education, Academy of Journalism and Communication, University of Transport and Communications and six members of the Vietnam National University - Hanoi, namely the University of Foreign Languages Studies, National Economics University, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Education and University of Law. The Nhon-Hanoi Railway Station metro line is supported by 36 bus routes, 33 of which are subsidized. Additionally, there are two passenger transfer points at Cau Giay and Nhon, with 32 bus stops in both directions. Nguyen Ba Son, deputy head of the Hanoi Metropolitan Railway Management Board (MRB), said that the four-kilometer underground stretch from Kim Ma street to the front of Hanoi Railway Station features four underground stations and one underground ramp. This part is only 43% complete. MRB and the contractor have been engaged in underground drilling since July 30, going at a rate of 10 meters per day and night. The entire underground section is scheduled to be finished in another 16 months.

Once underground drilling is complete, two TBM robots will be removed and the site handed over to equipment and system contractors for installation and finishing. Subsequently, a system safety assessment and inspections will be conducted. All these works are expected to be completed by 2027.

๊ According to the Hanoi People's Committee, the fare for a single journey on the line is VND8,000 (0.32 USD), while a full line ticket costs VND12,000. The monthly pass is priced at VND200,000, with a discounted rate of VND100,000 for students. A group ticket is available for 140,000 VND per month.

The line offers free tickets for children under six, war veterans, seniors over 60 and people with disabilities./.