Party chief To Lam takes surprise Metro ride in HCM City
VOV.VN - Party General Secretary To Lam took everyone by surprise on February 22 by riding in Ho Chi Minh City’s Metro line No.1 from Ben Thanh Market to Suoi Tien Theme Park and engaged passengers in ordinary conversation.
To Lam was accompanied by Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen and other local leaders.
The delegation departed from Ben Thanh Market Station in District 1 and interacted with passengers on board before disembarking at Tan Cang Station in Binh Thanh district.
A representative of the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Company No. 1 (HURC1) shared that To Lam’s visit was a surprise and an honour for the metro’s operating team.
The Party leader engaged in friendly conversations with passengers without any formal reception, he said.
Earlier the same day, HURC1 also welcomed Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone for an experience of Metro Line No. 1.
The surprise visit by the General Secretary took place just days after the National Assembly passed a resolution to pilot special mechanisms and policies for the development of urban railway systems in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
City leaders pledged to soon implement Metro Line No. 2 and other planned routes, with land acquisition for the project already completed.
Stretching a total of 19.7km long, Metro Line No. 1 officially began commercial operations on December 22, 2024. After a 30-day free trial period, passengers started paying fares from January 21, 2025.
In nearly two months of operation, the metro line has conducted 11,776 trips, transporting 4.6 million passengers, exceeding the initial plan by 94%.
During the recent 10-day peak period of the Lunar New Year holiday from January 24 to February 2, Metro Line No. 1 operated 1,768 trips, serving 761,416 passengers and generating over VND 11.7 billion in revenue.
The official inauguration of Metro Line No. 1 is scheduled for March 9, 2025, at the area above Ben Thanh Market Station - 23/9 Park (District 1), with the participation of 500-700 delegates, including leaders from the Vietnamese and Japanese governments.
HCM City Metro Line 1 starts commercial operations today
VOV.VN - Metro Line 1 linking Ben Thanh market and Suoi Tien bus station officially commenced its operations on December 22, marking a significant milestone in the development of urban transportation in Ho Chi Minh City.
