Prospects of Binh Duong’s First Metro Line

In the development planning of the transportation system, Bình Dương is developing the TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) model, which focuses on public transport-oriented urban development. This will form a modern decentralized transportation system, create space for urban development, and improve the quality of life for residents. The prospects of developing Metro TOD connections in Bình Dương bring many opportunities for the province in the coming years, especially in areas around metro stations.

Two Investment Options

Mr. Nguyễn Anh Minh, Director of the Department of Construction, stated that the feasibility reports for the urban railway line No.1 connecting Bình Dương New City and Suối Tiên, Ho Chi Minh City, are being urgently completed based on feedback from experts and provincial leaders. The aim is to finalize the documents and submit them to the National Assembly for consideration of investment policies for the project.

The project is expected to have its starting point at Station S1 in the center of Bình Dương New City (Hòa Phú Ward, Thủ Dầu Một City) and its endpoint at the Suối Tiên Bus Station, part of Metro Line No. 1 in Ho Chi Minh City, with a total length of 32.43 km, including the main line of 29.01 km and the Depot connection of 3.42 km. The first metro line in the province will pass through 4 cities: Tân Uyên, Thủ Dầu Một, Thuận An, and Dĩ An, with 19 stations and 1 depot in Phú Chánh Ward, Tân Uyên City. The line will be designed according to technical standards with mostly double tracks, a gauge of 1,435 mm, a design speed of 120 km/h, and a total investment of approximately VND 64,370 billion. The project is expected to begin construction in 2027 and be completed and operational by 2031.

The representative of the consulting unit presented the feasibility report for Metro Line No. 1 connecting from the center of Bình Dương New City to Suối Tiên.

Mr. Nguyễn Anh Minh further stated that the Department of Construction has coordinated and worked with the Urban Railways Management Board of Ho Chi Minh City and the consulting unit for the design of the two urban railway lines in Ho Chi Minh City and Bình Dương regarding the shared use of the Long Bình Depot for Ho Chi Minh City’s Metro Line No. 1. The Long Bình Depot is planned to cover an area of approximately 26 hectares. In the first phase of Metro Line No. 1 in Ho Chi Minh City, the Depot will be built on about 20 hectares with 30 tracks for train parking.

The feasible investment options include: Option 1 involves full public investment for the entire 32.43 km line; Option 2 involves public investment from the A1 roundabout to Suối Tiên, covering 29.01 km, without investing in the Depot in Phú Chánh Ward, Tân Uyên City, thus reducing costs by approximately VND 8,000 billion. However, many opinions suggest that developing Depots for the metro line is very important, as it plays a crucial role in operations, maintenance, and repairs.

According to the provincial planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, Bình Dương focuses its resources on investing in the construction, upgrading, and expansion of key transportation routes, gradually addressing traffic congestion and creating momentum for the province’s socio-economic development. The province’s Metro TOD model will be linked with urban railway lines connecting Ho Chi Minh City, Đồng Nai, and the future Ring Road 3 and Ring Road 4 of Ho Chi Minh City.

According to the Department of Construction, with the option of not investing in a Depot, in the initial phase, Ho Chi Minh City’s Metro Line No. 1 will operate with 17 train sets. It is expected that Bình Dương’s Metro Line No. 1 will operate in its first phase with 10 train sets. After discussions with Ho Chi Minh City, the units have agreed on the shared use of the infrastructure mentioned above. In the next operational phase, when both Ho Chi Minh City’s and Bình Dương’s Metro Line No. 1 increase the number of train sets, Bình Dương will invest in a Depot in Tân Uyên City to accommodate and carry out related tasks.

Contributing to the Completion of Connectivity Infrastructure

The investment in Metro Line No. 1 and subsequent metro lines will help Bình Dương enhance its transportation connectivity. In particular, the metro line will connect Bình Dương with Ho Chi Minh City, easing the current road traffic congestion. This connection will make it more convenient and faster for people to travel, especially between key areas in Bình Dương and Ho Chi Minh City.

Mr. Nguyễn Anh Minh shared that developing the metro system according to the TOD model will boost socio-economic development, create integrated urban areas around the stations, and provide more space for development. Studies and real-world examples from developed countries show that metro systems following the TOD model contribute to increasing real estate value, creating attractive investment opportunities for investors. The metro development also helps reduce environmental pollution and traffic congestion, while promoting sustainable urban development. Most importantly, connecting metro lines in the future will transform the province’s landscape, bring numerous benefits, and improve the quality of life for residents.

Route of Bình Dương’s Metro Line No. 1 and Expected Stations along the Route

Bình Dương is currently developing its urban areas with a focus on public transportation hubs, aiming to create a chain of urban developments linked to the construction of bus rapid transit (BRT) lines and regional transportation connections. Along with this, Bình Dương is concentrating its resources on investing in key regional transportation infrastructure projects, while also promoting the construction of an urban railway line as part of a project to upgrade public transportation infrastructure using Official Development Assistance (ODA) loans from the Japanese Government. Recently, the Japanese Government has supported Bình Dương in studying the development of a light rail transit (LRT) line to connect TOD areas within the province, with the expectation of creating a transportation network that will link major urban areas of the province and neighboring regions in the future.

The Metro TOD model connecting Bình Dương with Ho Chi Minh City will help promote urban space development between different localities. Furthermore, the preparation for developing future BRT and LRT lines will form a transportation network that will effectively support the metro lines, making it more convenient for residents to use this mode of transportation and contributing to reducing urban traffic congestion.