The Metro line No. 1 in Ho Chi Minh City is undergoing a test run at its full design capacity, starting from November 11, according to the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway No. 1 Company Limited, the metro line operator. 

The test run, lasting through November 17, is aimed at examining the line’s complete design capacity, simulating the conditions expected during commercial operations.

The trial operation includes normal weekday and holiday services, plus emergency scenarios.

The system operates daily from 5:00 am to 11:30 pm, with train intervals ranging from 4 minutes 30 seconds to 10 minutes. This trial will incorporate both weekday and holiday schedules, with 14 trains running on the main line and three on standby.

Following the test, stakeholders will assess the results and develop further operational plans.

Between October 14 and November 8, the metro line was operated on a trial basis at 20-percent capacity. 

The metro line runs for 19.7 km between Ben Thanh Station in District 1 and Suoi Tien Depot in Thu Duc city. It has 14 stations, including eleven elevated and three underground.

It allows a maximum speed of 110 kph on elevated sections and 80 kph on underground sections.

This is the first of eight metro lines planned for the southern city, and has total investment of VND43.7 trillion ($1.82 billion).

Construction began in 2012 and nearly 99% of work has been completed, with the remaining 1% focused on final inspections and procedures to prepare for full operation by the end of this year.