Brian Jeffrey
On May 30 in the early evening, during the busiest travel time, the Cat Linh – Ha Dong metro line experienced a signal malfunction at Cat Linh Station. This forced operations to be limited to the stretch between Yen Nghia and Thuong Dinh stations, requiring trains to reverse direction.
“It was peak hours, and many passengers were left waiting at Thuong Dinh Station,” shared Hai, who was on board the train during the disruption.
A spokesperson for Hanoi Metro Co., Ltd. confirmed the incident to VietNamNet, indicating that the disruption stemmed from a signaling malfunction at Cat Linh Station.
“The issue has been fixed, and train services have resumed their regular schedule,” the representative confirmed.
This marks yet another instance of service interruptions for the Cat Linh – Ha Dong metro line. A similar event occurred on February 25 when operations were halted due to a malfunction with a track switch.
The Cat Linh – Ha Dong line is Hanoi’s inaugural urban rail system, which officially commenced operations in November 2021. The elevated line stretches over 13 kilometers and is supported by 13 trains serving 12 stations.
Hanoi Metro management reports that this line accommodates around 40,000 riders daily.
Later that evening, Hanoi Metro Co., Ltd. issued an official statement regarding the disruption. The announcement noted that at 5:36 PM on May 30, a switch warning issue was flagged at Cat Linh Station on Line 2A.
The company swiftly activated its emergency response strategy and technical measures. Power was disconnected at four stations in Zone A—from Cat Linh to Lang Stations—to guarantee the safety of technical personnel addressing the issue. In the meantime, a shuttle service was introduced to link Thuong Dinh and Yen Nghia Stations.
“The problem was addressed within 25 minutes. Power was restored to Zone A, and all trains on the line returned to normal operation. This sort of switch malfunction is included in Hanoi Metro’s emergency response strategies,” a company representative explained.
Throughout the episode, Hanoi Metro provided timely audio announcements on trains and at stations to keep passengers informed. Personnel were deployed to assist travelers and manage ticket refunds for those who opted not to continue their journey.
N. Huyen
