Overcrowded HCMC metro forces me back to motorbike

I once commuted by the Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien metro line. Every morning, I’d park my motorbike at the National University station and take the train into the city center. But after just a few weeks, I switched back to my motorbike.

I’m sharing my personal experience hoping that Ho Chi Minh City’s first metro line can operate more efficiently and maximize its capacity.

The National University station is the second stop coming from the outskirts, yet during morning rush hour, trains arrive already packed. Passengers from the first station (Suoi Tien Bus Station) fill every carriage.

I often couldn’t find a seat and had to stand the entire journey, in incredibly crowded conditions. The train would stop at High-Tech Park station and Thu Duc station, picking up even more passengers. The evening commute was just as bad. This scene constantly reminded me of the tightly packed trains in Japan.

The fact that trains are always full during peak hours is a positive sign; it shows people have embraced the metro and there’s a genuine demand for public transportation. The parking lots below the stations are always full, proving many choose to park their bikes and take the train. However, this overwhelming number of passengers makes the commuting experience tiring and uncomfortable.

I had hoped I would get used to standing in crowds every morning, but after a while, the exhaustion from being in such cramped spaces pushed me back to my motorbike. A colleague of mine from Bien Hoa, bordering Thu Duc, also switched back for the same reason. Now, we only consider the metro if the weather forecast predicts rain.

I truly believe Metro Line No.1 could operate far more effectively with a few adjustments:

First, increase train frequency during both morning and evening peak hours. This would help distribute passengers more evenly across trips, significantly reducing overcrowding.

Second, each train set currently has only three carriages. I think it’s entirely feasible to add one more carriage to increase capacity. With the current high passenger volume, boosting carrying capacity is crucial.

We have a modern, clean, and punctual transportation system. Just a little improvement in the commuter experience could retain many more riders.

I hope these small suggestions, from a daily commuter’s perspective, can help the Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien metro better fulfill its role in easing traffic congestion, reducing pollution, and truly changing the commuting habits of our city’s residents.

By Minh Phuong – VnExpress.net – June 15, 2025