The Chinese-built electric train in the western part of Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, has seen a significant increase in passenger numbers in the first quarter of 2023, surpassing last year’s figures by 262%, according to local media reports.
The Cat Loung – Ha Dong electric train, the first urban railway in Vietnam, carried approximately 2.65 million passengers during the first quarter of 2023, with an average of 32,000 passengers per day on weekdays and 26,000 to 28,000 passengers per day on weekends. The number of daily passengers holding monthly tickets was around 10,000, indicating the growing popularity of the service.
Vu Hong Truong, the CEO of Hanoi Metro, Vietnam’s state-owned railway operation and maintenance company, stated that the increasing number of passengers on the Cat Loung – Ha Dong electric train is a testament to the changing travel behavior in the crowded city of Hanoi.
Mr. Truong also highlighted that the introduction of the electric train has promoted a culture of safe public transportation and gradually fostered a friendly commuting environment for the residents of Hanoi.
The Cat Loung – Ha Dong electric train line, which spans 13.05 kilometers and has 12 elevated stations, is currently operating at a maximum speed of 35 kilometers per hour, although its maximum operating speed is 80 kilometers per hour. The average waiting time for the train is 6-10 minutes.
During its first year of operation, the Cat Loung – Ha Dong electric train has already served over 7.2 million passengers, demonstrating its increasing popularity as a convenient and reliable mode of transportation in Hanoi.
The significant increase in passenger numbers on the Chinese-built electric train in Vietnam reflects the growing demand for efficient and sustainable urban transportation solutions in the country. With its positive impact on travel behavior and public transportation culture, the electric train is poised to play a significant role in addressing the transportation challenges in Hanoi and other cities in Vietnam in the future.