The importance of metro lines in urban traffic in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City wants to quickly pilot the TOD model around metro lines and ring roads of Ho Chi Minh City. What is the TOD model? What does Metro play an important role in transportation and urban development? How will services and the Saigon Hi-Tech Park Office on the metro line develop? Let’s find out these questions in the article.
The policy to construct a TOD model around the Metro lines and ring roads
The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport is consulting with experts and getting opinions from local departments and agencies to complete the TOD project to submit to the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee by the end of 2023. The TOD model or Compact City is an urban development model oriented towards public transportation. TOD will take the orientation of public transportation development as the basis for urban planning with population concentrations being public transport hubs and developing distributed transport systems.
Japan is a typical country that effectively applies the TOD model, thanks to its modern and public Metro train system throughout the country
Ho Chi Minh City is looking to pilot the TOD model in the station areas of Metro Line 1, Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien and intersections of the Ring Road 3 project. These are two critical transportation projects under construction, with clearly defined major transportation hubs. The land fund surrounding these projects has also been reviewed and compiled and can be applied immediately to deploy some pilot projects, as assessed by the Department of City Planning and Architecture and the People’s Committees of districts and Thu Duc City.
Ring Road 3 will help expand connectivity from Ho Chi Minh City to neighboring areas
After the initial pilot phase, the TOD model will be replicated in some areas surrounding ring roads as well as other metro lines in the future. The Metro 2 project, Ben Thanh – Thanh Luong, has identified the locations of main traffic hubs that may be the next project to pilot this model in the future.
The TOD model will promote service construction alongside major traffic points such as apartments, shopping malls, entertainment areas, services or Saigon Hi-Tech Park Office or bus lines
Talking about the Compact City model, the Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport said that this is a place with high population density in a small area, taking the development of height and space above as the main focus instead of width. Compact city areas will have clear boundaries, full of services, living amenities or Saigon Hi-Tech Park Office.
However, the timeframe for implementing the new mechanism is approximately 5 years, so government agencies and departments need to expedite the implementation process. Mr. Phan Van Mai, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, believes that improving traffic is also unlocking a significant resource for Ho Chi Minh City to help maintain its role as a leading economic center for the whole country. The development of the urban area in the TOD direction will be a new model that Ho Chi Minh City is pursuing.
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How important is the Metro’s role in urban transportation?
Metro lines play a crucial role in the modern urban transportation system with many great benefits in sustainable urban development. It is not by chance that developed countries prioritize the development of public transportation in general and urban metro systems in particular.
First of all, reducing traffic congestion is one of the most significant benefits that the metro brings. Metro helps reduce pressure on important traffic routes, minimize congestion and save people’s travel time. Commuting and working in Saigon Hi-Tech Park Office buildings has long been the desire of many residents near Metro 1, the Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien area, but it will not be until 2024 that Ho Chi Minh City residents can experience this mode of transportation for the first time
Traffic congestion – a never old issue in major cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi
The use of public transportation like the metro reduces emissions from personal vehicles, helps reduce air pollution and maintain a healthier urban atmosphere. This is especially crucial in the current era, where environmental issues and sustainable urban development are increasingly raised. As a city with a population exceeding 9 million people, Ho Chi Minh City requires more public transportation systems to reduce emissions and fine dust from the huge number of vehicles in the city.
Sustainable urban development is a priority in the urban planning and development strategies of many developed countries
Commuting by urban rail is also much safer than using public transportation. With strictly controlled systems and processes, residents can travel safely and conveniently, minimizing the risk of traffic accidents.
Metro is also a tool to help promote urban economic development in the area surrounding the metro, specifically the TOD model being pursued by Ho Chi Minh City. The construction of Metro also helps residents easily connect and work in many areas, stimulating economic development around traffic hubs around metro stations.
If the metro is combined with other public transportation such as buses, underwater buses, bicycles, etc. Ho Chi Minh City can establish a comprehensive urban transportation system that is not only safe and sustainable but also minimizes traffic issues.
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The Current Status of the Metro Line in Ho Chi Minh City
In addition to Metro 1, which is going to be operated in 2024, Ho Chi Minh City is currently planning to construct 8 metro lines with a total length of approximately 170 km, including:
- Metro Line 1: Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien with a length of about 19.7km, 14 stations, starting from District 1 through Binh Thanh to District 9, Thu Duc City.
- Metro Line 2: Ben Thanh – Tham Luong with a length of 48 km with 42 stations, starting from Thu Thiem through District 2 to Cu Chi district.
- Metro Line 3a: Ben Thanh – Tan Kien Depot, with a length of 19.58 km, with 17 stations, starting from Ben Thanh to Mien Tay Bus Station and terminating at Tan Kien Depot in Binh Chanh district.
- Metro Line 3b: Cong Hoa – Hiep Binh Phuoc intersection has a length of 12.2km, 10 stations connecting Thu Dau Mot City, Binh Duong province to Thu Duc district.
- Metro Line 4: Thanh Xuan – Hiep Phuoc Urban Area with a length of 35.75km, 30 stations from Thanh Xuan (District 12) to Hiep Phuoc (Nha Be district).
- Metro Line 4b: Gia Dinh Park Station – Lang Cha Ca with a length of 3.2 km, 3 stations.
- Metro Line 5: Da Phuoc Depot – Can Giuoc – Saigon Bridge with a length of 23.39km, 21 stations.
- Metro Line 6: Dam Sen – Phu Lam with a length of 6.8 km from Ba Queo – Au Co – Phu Lam Roundabout.
Diagram of the planned metro lines in Ho Chi Minh City
However, except for Metro line 1, among the 8 projects, only Metro lines 2 and 3a are expected to be completed by 2026. The remaining metro lines are still in the phase of finalizing designs, planning, or only on paper
The stations that Metro Line 1 will pass through
The Metro line will still be the pioneering project operating in 2024, which is quite a long time behind the original plan of starting in 2017. After many delays, the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Board has requested to extend the construction time until 2024 with commercial operations expected to begin in July 2024. Despite the delays, this is still a project that many residents expect will gradually change the commuting habits of residents in the area around this metro line. Those working in Saigon Hi-Tech Park Office will stand to benefit the most, as they no longer have to participate in traffic, congestion, pollution and traffic accidents.
Metro Line 1 is to bring a breath of fresh air to the development of the East Saigon
For the East Saigon, Metro 1 will open up great opportunities for human resources and economic attraction. Especially as this area is being focused on developing into a new technological and economic spearhead of Ho Chi Minh City. The TOD model will help Thu Duc City become more vibrant in the near future when vertical urban development in Thu Duc City still needs to be stronger.
Many housing real estate projects or offices on the Metro line such as OneHub Saigon in Saigon Hi-Tech Park will benefit greatly, as customers have one more reason to choose these projects. In summary, Metro Line 1 holds great significance for the urban development of East Saigon. There will be more and more service construction, housing and Saigon Hi-Tech Park Office as they enjoy many great advantages from this metro line.
Conclusion
Ho Chi Minh City is pursuing a TOD model as transportation projects such as the metro or Ho Chi Minh City ring road are gradually completed. Metro lines in Ho Chi Minh City will play a significant role in sustainable urban development and solving many issues related to transportation, society, and the environment that the city with over 9 million inhabitants is facing. In July 2024, Metro Line 1 will operate, promising to bring many positive changes to Thu Duc City. Shopping centers, services, housing or Saigon Hi-Tech Park Office will appear more and more, according to the TOD model.
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