On 21/3, Hanoi Metro concluded its Plan 428, which focused on integrating electronic identification and biometrics into ticket control for the Cat Linh - Ha Dong and Nhon - Ha Noi Station lines.

The new ticketing system enables passengers to utilize various cashless payment methods, such as: chip-embedded citizen identity cards, Visa cards, QR codes, NFC, or the Hanoi Metro application. This streamlines passage through gates, alleviates peak-hour congestion, and ensures transaction transparency. The biometric solution further enhances security, mitigating risks of lost cards or fraud.

Passengers can register for the service via VNeID, eliminating the need for a separate account. The system automatically applies fare exemptions and reductions for priority groups. After more than eight months of operation, the system has processed over 5.7 million passenger journeys, achieving an 85% adoption rate for electronic identification and biometrics.

Revenue for the Cat Linh - Ha Dong and Nhon - Ha Noi Station lines has increased by 48%, with passenger volume rising by 15% compared to the same period. Hanoi Metro states that this synchronized ticketing system not only improves user experience but also enhances management and operational capabilities.

Passengers pass through a ticket gate on the Nhon - Ha Noi Station metro line. *Photo: Giang Huy*

The company announced plans to further expand infrastructure and standardize technology to establish a unified automatic ticketing system across the entire urban railway network. Concurrently, Hanoi Metro will upgrade its software, integrate payments, and implement intermodal transport solutions.

Hanoi Metro is collaborating with Vietnam Railways Corporation to integrate ticketing between the urban railway and the national railway at Ha Noi Station, with a pilot program anticipated for QII/2026. Plans to connect with bus rapid transit (BRT), ride-hailing services, and public bicycle schemes are also being advanced.

According to Nguyen Danh Huy, Deputy Minister of Construction, the new ticketing system has garnered positive reception from many passengers due to its convenient payment options and features comparable to those in developed nations. He added that this method could be widely adopted across various public transport modes in Hanoi, eventually expanding to other localities and integrating with the national railway, aligning with the transport development strategy through 2050.

Doan Loan