Southeast Asia’s (SEA) urban rail sector is witnessing rapid momentum with expanding network, and technological advancements to address congestion and support sustainable urban growth. At the same time, major construction milestones are being achieved across the region, including new tunnelling breakthroughs, station works and line extensions. In addition, the adoption of digital technologies highlights a strong commitment to enhancing mass transit networks and improving multimodal connectivity across the SEA region.
Network growth
The urban rail network across the SEA region has expanded steadily over the years, reflecting a strategic shift towards enhancing connectivity and supporting long-term urban development. Furthermore, metro corridors currently under construction are expected to significantly enhance capacity in the coming years.
In Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City’s first metro line – Ho Chi Minh City Metro Line 1 – connecting Bến Thành and Suối Tiên recorded nearly 19 million passenger trips in its first year of operation in 2025. The strong ridership reflects growing public acceptance of mass transit and highlights the metro’s role in reshaping daily mobility patterns. Recently, tunnel boring machine (TBM) no. 1 (Than Toc) completed tunnelling between stations S9 and S12 on the Nhon-Hanoi station metro line. The breakthrough at station S12 marks the completion of tunnelling for the first four underground stations under Package CP03, executed by the Hyundai-Ghella joint venture. A second TBM (Tao Bao) is continuing excavation towards station S11. As of December 1, 2025, Package CP03 is 72 per cent complete, with 3,395 of 3,495 tunnel ring segments cast. In parallel, the Hanoi People’s Committee has started construction on the Nam Thang Long-Tran Hung Dao section of Metro Line 2, a key national infrastructure project valued at VND 35 trillion. Spanning 11 km, the line will include 1.94 km of elevated and more than 9 km of underground sections running beneath Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter. It will have 10 stations, including station C10, which will interchange with Metro Line 3.
In the Philippines, the Department of Transportation has started construction of the Ortigas station of the Metro Manila Subway Project in Pasig City after a delay of nearly two years caused by right-of-way issues. It will feature 17 stations across a 33 km line connecting Valenzuela to Pasay, with a spur to Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, and is expected to commence partial operations by 2028.
The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand has announced that the southern extension of the Purple Line has reached 65 per cent completion, with the first TBM, nicknamed Pasuta, breaking through into Memorial Bridge station. The southern extension spans 23.63 km with 17 stations, including 10 underground and seven elevated, linking Tao Poon in the north to Ratburana in the south.
Technology deployments
The SEA region is adopting advanced technologies, focusing on digital ticketing, smart cards, digital passenger information and traffic optimisation. These initiatives aim to modernise urban public transport and enhance commuter convenience.
In Thailand, the Department of Rail Transport has launched the new Europay, Mastercard and Visa (EMV) contactless payment system on the Airport Rail Link, which provides passengers a more convenient, fast and secure way for payment with contactless cards. Bangkok’s mass rapid transit (MRT) Orange Line is deploying advanced communications, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) control systems and platform screen doors, enhancing real-time operations, safety and passenger information.
In Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Transport has launched a comprehensive suite of smart mobility tools, including an open loop e-ticketing system, the MultiPass smart card, and the MultiGO mobile app. The Hanoi Metro has signed a memorandum of understanding with Xanh SM, VinBus, Green Future Trading and the Service Joint Stock Company and V-Green to integrate electric metro lines, taxis, motorbikes and buses into a unified public transport network. The agreement includes ticketing system integration, designated pick-up points at metro stations and a promotional campaign encouraging multimodal travel.
In Indonesia, PT Mass Rapid Transit Jakarta has partnered with India-based Route Mobile Limited to deploy a WhatsApp-based ticketing solution. The solution allows passengers to purchase tickets from vending machines and to receive essential travel information and unique QR codes via WhatsApp, thereby streamlining the boarding process.
The Philippines Department of Transportation (DOTr) has rolled out quick response (QRPH)-enabled cashless payment systems at all 13 MRT 3 stations in Metro Manila. The initiative allows passengers to pay for single-journey tickets using QR codes through e-wallets or bank apps, including GCash, in a move to streamline and modernise fare collection.
Forthcoming corridors
Across the SEA region, governments are taking numerous measures to expand urban rail and mass transit networks as part of broader strategies to support economic growth, regional connectivity and sustainable mobility. These developments underscore a growing regional commitment to modern, integrated and future-ready urban transport infrastructure.
In Vietnam, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has proposed adding five new metro lines to the appendix of parliamentary Resolution No. 188, which pilots special mechanisms and policies for developing urban rail networks in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Under the proposal, the five metro lines are Binh Duong New City-Suoi Tien (Line 1), Thu Dau Mot City-Ho Chi Minh City (Line 2), Vung Tau-Ba Ria-Phu My (Line 3), Thu Thiem-Long Thanh, and an extension of the Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro line to the administrative centre of Dong Nai province and the Long Thanh International Airport. These lines are planned for implementation during the 2026-30 and 2031-35 periods, using public investment or public-private partnership (PPP) models. Danang City has also announced plans to develop a metro line connecting the Danang International Airport and Hoi An as part of its urban railway development plan through 2045. The initiative, led by the People’s Committee of Danang City, aims to enhance public transport connectivity and support sustainable urban growth in central Vietnam.
In Malaysia, Johor Bahru’s proposed elevated autonomous rapid transit system represents a key urban mobility initiative aimed at easing congestion and supporting cross-border connectivity with Singapore. Three consortiums have submitted proposals to the country’s PPP unit (Unit Kerjasama Awam Swasta – UKAS) for the development of the project. The system will span three main corridors – Skudai, Tebrau and Iskandar Puteri – with Bukit Chagar as the interchange. The project is expected to include 32 stations and cost nearly RM 7 billion.
In Cambodia, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank have initiated a feasibility study for a metro system in Phnom Penh to address the issue of traffic congestion. This effort builds on previous studies examining metro, tram, bus rapid transit and automated guideway systems.
Future outlook
Urban rail networks across the SEA region are set to expand further, supported by national strategies aimed at easing traffic congestion, reducing carbon emissions and accommodating growing urban populations. At the same time, the adoption of digital technologies is expected to accelerate, with mobility-as-a-service platforms, contactless and account-based ticketing and real-time passenger information, enhancing travel convenience and improving system efficiency. These innovations are likely to make public transport more attractive, encouraging a shift away from private vehicle use.
