Hanoi metro fares initially capped at 65 US cents
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The maximum fare on Hanoi’s first metro line will be VND15,000 (65 cents), city authorities said in a draft proposal. The minimum will be VND8,000 (34 cents).
Passengers can also buy monthly season tickets for VND200,000 ($8.61) or daily tickets for VND30,000 ($1.29), both allowing unlimited trips.
The proposal, meant to collect public opinion, said the fares would only apply initially when the commercial run begins next month, and would be increased later.
Work on the Cat Linh-Ha Dong elevated railway began in 2011 and was originally scheduled for completion in 2013. But several hurdles, including loan disbursement issues with China that were only resolved in December 2017, stalled it for years.
The original estimated cost of $552.86 million also ballooned to more than $868 million, including $670 million in loans from China.
The metro eventually entered the testing phase with all 13 cars carrying out trial runs on both lines. The ministry wanted commercial operations to begin before the Lunar New Year in early February, but this deadline too was missed.
The Chinese contractor of the metro, China Railway Sixth Group Co., Ltd, plans to finish trial run this month. It has been carrying them out since last September.
Hanoi, a city of more than 7.5 million people, has 5.2 million motorbikes and around 550,000 cars, besides some 1.2 million vehicles brought by non-residents, according to police figures.
Questions & Answers
Q.What is the expected timeline for the metro line's initial operation?
What is the expected timeline for the metro line's initial operation?
The commercial run is scheduled to begin next month. The Chinese contractor aims to finish trial runs this month, having carried them out since last September.
Q.How do the initial fares compare to potential future costs for passengers?
How do the initial fares compare to potential future costs for passengers?
The initial fares are a temporary measure. The proposal states these fares will only apply when the commercial run begins, and they are intended to be increased later.
Q.What were the main reasons for the significant delays in the metro project's completion?
What were the main reasons for the significant delays in the metro project's completion?
The project faced several hurdles, including loan disbursement issues with China, which were only resolved in December 2017. This stalled the project for years beyond its original 2013 completion date.
Q.How has the total cost of the metro project changed from its initial estimate?
How has the total cost of the metro project changed from its initial estimate?
The original estimated cost of $552.86 million has significantly increased. The project's cost has ballooned to more than $868 million, with $670 million coming from Chinese loans.
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