On the fourth day of Tet, Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien) in Ho Chi Minh City became an ideal destination for thousands of residents and tourists during their New Year’s outing. However, the sudden surge in passengers caused Ben Thanh underground station to become overcrowded, despite the operator running 160 trains throughout the day.
Sudden Increase in Passengers Creates Significant Pressure on the System
From early morning, ticket counters at Ben Thanh station were packed with people waiting in line to buy tickets. Long queues stretched throughout the hallways, creating a bustling yet tense atmosphere. Many people had to wait from 30 to 45 minutes, and some even waited over an hour just to purchase their tickets.
“I was very surprised by the number of people using the train today. I waited over 45 minutes but still couldn’t buy tickets for myself and my wife. The lines were too long, and I didn’t know when we would finally get on the train,” shared Mr. Amin (62 years old, Malaysian).
At the ticket gates, similar congestion occurred. People formed long lines to enter. Additional staff were deployed to assist passengers and prevent severe bottlenecks within the station.
Unforgettable Experiences for Passengers
Many elderly passengers appeared exhausted after prolonged waiting. Mrs. Tam (65 years old) said, “Being older and weaker, I sat outside while my daughter queued to buy tickets. But after nearly an hour, she still hadn’t returned.”
Carriages traveling between Thu Duc and Ben Thanh were packed with passengers. There wasn’t a single empty seat, forcing many to wait for the next train. Some young people mentioned that they chose the metro because they thought there would be fewer people compared to the first days of the year, only to find the opposite.
“On the fourth day of Tet, I thought there would be fewer people, but I never expected such a large crowd,” said Ms. Duong (23 years old).
Temporary Solutions and Future Adjustments
By noon, the metro announced a temporary shutdown for maintenance. This further increased the backlog of passengers at Ben Thanh underground station. Waiting times for boarding extended beyond expectations, causing significant fatigue among passengers.
According to statistics, on the first day of Tet, Metro Line 1 operated 182 trips with continuous 8 train sets, serving nearly 56,000 passengers. On the second and third days, the number of trips was 184 and 156 respectively. By the fourth and fifth days, the number of trips was increased to 160 per day to meet the growing demand.
Conclusion and Future Recommendations
The overcrowding at Metro Line 1 during Tet highlights the increasing interest of the public in modern public transportation. However, management and operation need improvement to ensure the best possible experience for passengers.
To avoid future overcrowding, authorities should consider adding more staff, increasing train frequency, and expanding automated ticketing systems. Additionally, encouraging the use of alternative modes of transport can help alleviate pressure on the metro system during major holidays.
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References:
[1] https://dantri.com.vn/xa-hoi/hanh-khach-cho-ca-tieng-van-chua-len-duoc-metro-so-1-20250201142557435.htm
