Vietnam’s First Metro, in Hanoi, Hobbled by Lack of Riders
It took 10 years for the Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro line in Hanoi, Vietnam’s first, to enter service November 21.
Despite initial positive reviews, though, the value of the controversial project is being questioned.
The 13-kilometer elevated, 12-station line starts at Cat Linh railway station in north-central Hanoi and ends at Yen Nghia bus station and Phu Long depot in the southwestern suburbs of Ha Dong. Traveling at up to 80 kilometers per hour, the trip takes about 24 minutes, and the line will ultimately be able to carry 1 million passengers a day.
The line is expected to ease traffic congestion and reduce private vehicle use in Hanoi.
Citizens in Vietnam’s capital give positive reviews of the quality of the service and pin high hopes on the metro line.
A Hanoi office worker who asked that her name not be used said that although she cannot use the new line to get to work, she hopes it will help reduce traffic jams, shortening commute times and reducing stress and travel pressures.
“Moreover, since I care about the environment, people’s use of public transport will make a significant contribution to reducing dust and noise pollution,” she told VOA.
However, in contrast to the crowded scenes during the two-week free trial of the service, Vietnamese media last month reported on the lack of passengers.
According to reports from the first days of ticket sales, the number of passengers was low, at approximately 12,000 per day, equivalent to 60 people per trip, accounting for only 8% of the capacity.
This should worry the Hanoi city government, which oversees the project, especially as the metro line has been controversial, having experienced many years of delays and cost overruns.
In 2008, the project had a total initial investment of $552.8 million. By 2017, the figure increased to about $868 million, using exchange rates then in effect.
