According to Urban Railway Company No. 1 (HURC1), after 15 days of commercial operation, Metro Line No. 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien) has carried more than 1.7 million passengers, reaching 300% of the plan.
In particular, on New Year's Day, January 1, 2025, 275,144 visitors were recorded, a record high in the first 15 days.
In addition to safe and on-time transportation, Metro Line 1 assisted 11,041 special cases, including disabled passengers, the elderly, lost children and other incidents.
However, HURC1 Company said that, besides positive signals, many violations of metro culture have affected the overall experience.
Many people stood blocking the platform barrier (PSD) and train doors to wait for their loved ones, despite the fact that the doors only open and close for 30 seconds, and even tried to rush into or leave the train while the doors were closing, causing danger. Some passengers crossed the safety warning line despite being reminded, forcing station staff to intervene frequently.
Not lining up at the entrance, escalators or trains has led to jostling and pushing, which poses a potential safety risk. Notably, during the free ticket period, many passengers refused to scan QR codes, make boarding passes or use payment apps, citing "free experiences without any need to do anything," disrupting the ticket control process.
In addition, many people who are not in priority groups still use elevators reserved for the disabled, pregnant women, or the elderly, limiting access for those who really need it. Some passengers bring food and drinks into the station, or let their pets roam freely on the platform, seriously affecting the common space.
The violations also spread to unsafe photography. Many passengers took photos in dangerous areas such as the emergency exit (EWD), and some even took off their clothes, causing offense. The number of station staff was not enough to handle these behaviors in a timely manner.
Finally, public hygiene awareness is still not guaranteed. Some people use the toilet improperly, causing unhygienic conditions, or let children defecate in the toilet, affecting the next users.
According to HURC1, train operators not only ensure safe train operations, but also have to handle many violations, from reminding passengers to cross the safety line to resolving disputes due to improper behavior.
These lack of awareness not only put pressure on staff but also affect equipment, disrupt operations and prolong travel time.
HURC1 calls on passengers to raise awareness and comply with regulations to contribute to building a civilized, modern and safe traffic environment.
Currently, Metro Line 1 is offering free tickets until January 20, 2025. After this period, passengers can choose from ticket types such as single-trip tickets, daily tickets, three-day tickets, or monthly tickets.
