Proposal to waive toll road fees during Tet rejected
Holiday spirit seems to be in short supply at the Ministry of Transport (MoT), as the body has rejected a proposal to waive road tolls for the first three days of the Tet (Lunar New Year) holidays.
Vehicles drive through toll booths on the Phap Van-Cau Gie Expressway (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Holiday spiritseems to be in short supply at the Ministry of Transport (MoT), as the body hasrejected a proposal to waive road tolls for the first three days ofthe Tet (Lunar New Year)holidays.
The Directorate for Roads of Vietnam (DRVN) askedthe ministry to waive feeson Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) projects across the country, butthe MoT refused.
An official from the DRVN said that there was nostipulation in law or project contracts that would require it to waive feesduring holidays.
The ministry also requested the investors andoperators of BOT projects ensure smooth traffic at toll booths and asked theDRVN to evaluate any problems in managing road toll collection in order topropose solutions.
Earlier, the DRVN has asked MoT to exemptroad users from paying tolls during the first three days of Tet.
There are 88 BOT toll booths on highways andexpressways nationwide, according to the ministry. Seventy-three stations aremanaged by the ministry and the remaining are managed by provincial People’sCommittees.
According to the DRVN, the move comes after someBOT companies asked the directorate to petition the MoT to make theexemption.
Pham Van Khoi, Director of the Phap Van-Cau GieBOT Joint Stock Company, said the exemption aimed to help road userstravel during the busy Tet holidaysand give toll booth staff three days off.
“Not many vehicles use BOT toll booths duringthe three days of the Tet holiday. Thetemporary suspension would not affect the finances of BOT projects,” Nguyen XuanTruong, Deputy General Director of the DRVN said.
For booths managed by provincial authorities,the DRVN proposed the MoT that ask provincial people’s committees toconsider the same exemptions.
General Director of the DRVN Nguyen Van Huyensaid exemptions were allowed when a serious traffic accident occurred within700 metres of a toll station.
In case of prolonged traffic congestion, theDRVN also requires the fee collection company lift the barrier to allowmotorists go through, or else the company will be fined.-VNS/VNA
Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Hong Truong, spoke to the Vietnam Economic Times about his ministry’s resolve to enforce law and order in the collection of toll fees.
Transport units at coach stations and airports as well as train stations in Ho Chi Minh City are busy meeting passenger demand for travel before and after the Tet (Lunar New year) holiday.
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Vehicles drive through toll booths on the Phap Van-Cau Gie Expressway (Photo: VNA)
