Ho Chi Minh City phases out paper ticketing at 4 metro stations

Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway No. 1 Company Limited, the operator of the metro line, has announced that the pilot program is being implemented at Opera House, Ba Son, Van Thanh, and Phuoc Long Stations.

Passengers are now encouraged to adopt various digital payment methods instead of purchasing paper QR-coded tickets at the counter.

Tickets can be bought through self-service kiosks, located inside stations, mobile platforms, including the HCMC Metro HURC app or the Miniapp Metro app on the MoMo e-wallet, direct tap-and-go payments at fare gates using bank cards such as Visa, Mastercard, Napas or e-wallets, or mobile devices linked to bank accounts.

For passengers eligible for priority travel policies, the system allows access through chip-based ID cards or monthly passes linked to these IDs via the HCMC Metro HURC app.

To assist with the transition, additional staff have been deployed at the four pilot stations to help passengers navigate the new system.

Initial feedback showed that most commuters were already aware of the changes, successfully used cashless options, and appreciated the shorter wait times due to the elimination of queues at ticket counters.

Many riders noted the environmental benefit of moving away from paper tickets, highlighting the potential for reduced daily waste generated by the metro system.

The company said that the pilot program was part of a broader strategy to promote digital transformation and improve public transport services in Ho Chi Minh City.

Following the pilot phase, the effectiveness of the initiative will be assessed before the paperless model can be expanded to all stations across the line.

Automated ticket machines launched in July

The operator of the first metro link started putting automated ticket vending machines into use from July 1 to offer metro riders more convenience and flexibility in fare payment.

These machines feature single-ride, one-day, three-day, and rechargeable multi-use cards.

To buy a ticket, passengers choose the ticket type and destination on the machine, pay the total amount (fares plus deposits), collect the card, and scan it at the gate to enter.

After completing their ride, passengers can return the card to receive a refund on the deposit.

The line began commercial operations on December 22, 2024.