HCM – Metro Line No. 1 transported 571,528 passengers during the seven days of the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday from the 29th day of the last lunar month to the 6th day of the first lunar month, beating the target by 42%, according to a report released on February 23 by HCMC Urban Railway Company No. 1 (HURC1).
The figure made up 94.4% of the same period last year.
A total of 1,801 train trips were operated during the period, meeting 100% of the plan and rising 39% year-on-year.
Daily data showed passenger volume gradually increased after the Lunar New Year’s Eve. On February 16 (the 29th day of the last lunar year), the metro line, also known as Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien, recorded 50,217 passengers, the lowest during the period. On February 17 (the first day of the Lunar New Year), ridership rose to 79,649 passengers, equivalent to 131.5% of the plan. In the post-midnight time frame alone, 3,426 passengers were served.
From the second to the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, ridership remained high. On February 21 (the fifth day), the line recorded 96,320 passengers, the highest level during the holiday. Passenger volume declined on the sixth day, the final day of the holiday.
Regarding payment methods, non-cash transactions accounted for 71.8% of total rides, cash payments made up 23.2%, and 5% of passengers used citizen identification cards.
Free ticket support on February 16 and 17 contributed to attracting passengers to use the metro service during the holiday.
To meet rising travel demand, the operator implemented measures to enhance security, sanitation and passenger flow management at stations, particularly at key stations and the three central underground stations. On Lunar New Year’s Eve, February 17, an additional 20 train services were operated from 0:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. to serve passengers who rushed to the downtown area to watch fireworks displays.
