Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway No. 1 Company (HURC1), the operator of the Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien Metro Line, announced the one-day initiative to mark the 50th anniversary of Saigon-Gia Dinh officially being renamed Ho Chi Minh City on July 2, 1976.
The Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro line (Photo: Ngoc Tan).
All passengers will be able to travel free throughout July 2 using one of three methods. Commuters can tap a chip-enabled national identity card at fare gates, generate a QR code through the HCM City Metro HURC mobile application, or collect a free paper ticket with a QR code from automated kiosks at stations.
To meet higher passenger demand, HURC1 will operate 248 train services between 5 am and 11 pm.
Service frequency will be increased between 8.30 pm and 10 pm, with trains running every six minutes to accommodate passengers travelling to and from the city's fireworks displays.
HURC1 said passengers who choose to purchase a ticket despite the free travel programme will still be charged, and fares will not be refunded.
The operator also announced that the "QR HCMC METRO" feature will become available in the HCM City Metro HURC application on July 2 and will be valid only for travel on that day.
