The HCM City Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR) said the city had identified eight priority rail projects for the 2026-30 period, four of which would be developed by the authority.
Three projects are scheduled for approval in December and construction is expected to begin by the end of the year.
Metro Line 1, connecting the former Binh Duong New City area with Suoi Tien, will run about 32.8 km from Phu Chanh Depot to Suoi Tien Bus Station, where it will connect with the existing Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro line.
Metro Line 2, linking the former Thu Dau Mot City area with HCM City, will stretch about 35 km from S5 Station, where it will connect with the Binh Duong New City-Suoi Tien line, to Tao Dan Station and the Ben Thanh-Tham Luong metro line.
The first phase of Metro Line 6, an inner-ring route, will run about 23 km from Tan Son Nhat International Airport to Phu Huu.
The line will run from Ba Queo Intersection to Phu Huu, connecting with the Ben Thanh-Tham Luong metro and the planned Thu Thiem-Long Thanh railway.
MAUR is completing investment procedures for the three projects, including technical plans, route alignments, station locations and land acquisition and resettlement arrangements.
Phan Cong Bang, head of MAUR, said the two lines serving the former Binh Duong area were being planned as interconnected routes to meet travel demand.
The authority is also preparing separate land clearance projects and working to resolve land-related procedures to meet the year-end construction target.
Other urban rail projects under study include Metro Line 4, running from the former District 12 area through central HCM City to Hiep Phuoc in the former Nha Be District, and a line from Tham Luong along National Highway 22 towards Cu Chi.
The city is also coordinating work on the Ben Thanh-Thu Thiem and Thu Thiem-Long Thanh rail links.
HCM City plans to develop about 255 km of urban railway by 2030, expanding public transport links while integrating metro development with transit-oriented development around stations.
MAUR also aims to increase the involvement of domestic companies in the urban rail supply chain, including consulting, construction and the production and supply of equipment for stations, trains and technical systems.
Meanwhile, passenger numbers on the existing Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien Metro Line 1 have continued to rise, with travel becoming more evenly spread throughout the day rather than concentrated mainly during peak hours.
Its fleet of 17 three-car trains is generally meeting current demand, although passengers may have to wait for the next service at busy times. MAUR and the operator are considering adding trains as demand increases.
