The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee recently approved a proposal to adjust the scope of study for the Binh Duong metro line 2 (Thu Dau Mot - Ho Chi Minh City). This adjustment involves extending the line from Hiep Binh Phuoc depot to Tao Dan station in former District 1. This plan would add about 15,6 km to the line, increasing its total length to nearly 39 km and allowing the metro to reach deeper into the city's central area.

Previously, the Thu Dau Mot - Ho Chi Minh City metro line was planned to be about 23,3 km long, starting from Pham Ngoc Thach street in Thu Dau Mot City. It would follow Binh Duong Boulevard and National Highway 13 to Hiep Binh Phuoc, then connect to Ho Chi Minh City's metro line 3. This arrangement would require passengers to transfer to reach the city center.

Perspective of the underground entrance to Tao Dan station for the Ben Thanh - Tham Luong metro line. Photo: MAUR

In parallel with the plan to extend the metro line towards Binh Duong, Ho Chi Minh City also agreed to study adjustments to metro line 3 for synchronized connectivity and efficient network operation.

Under the new proposal, metro line 3 will start at Tao Dan station and end at An Ha, spanning over 32 km. This is a reduction of about 14 km compared to the prior plan. The original route was nearly 46 km long, starting from Hiep Binh Phuoc, passing through Binh Trieu and Cong Hoa roundabout, and ending at An Ha.

The simultaneous adjustment of both lines, with Tao Dan station serving as a common connection point, is expected to optimize operations, enhance efficiency, and better meet public travel demands once the network is established.

Tao Dan is a key station for metro line 2 (Ben Thanh - Tham Luong), which is under construction. Once completed, this station will become a major interchange connecting three metro lines, strengthening public transport connectivity as Ho Chi Minh City expands its administrative boundaries.

According to the plan, the Thu Dau Mot - Ho Chi Minh City metro line and line 3 are scheduled for implementation before 2035. Currently, the city is focusing on developing metro line 2 (Thu Thiem - Ben Thanh - Tham Luong), the Ben Thanh - Can Gio railway, Thu Thiem - Long Thanh, and Binh Duong New City - Suoi Tien; along with metro line 6 phase 1 (Tan Son Nhat airport - Phu Huu).

Giang Anh