38 BOT stations have reduced fees

Information from the Ministry of Transport said that currently, 38 BOT toll stations have reduced ticket prices for vehicles.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Transport, there are currently 73 toll stations for road use services that have been reviewed; of which 55 stations belong to BOT projects that have been completed and put into operation, and 18 stations belong to BOT projects that are under investment.

Ho Chi Minh City is about to apply non-stop toll collection at 3 BOT toll stations.

For 55 completed projects, the Ministry of Transport has reduced prices for 31 stations; 18 stations currently have low collection rates according to regulations and have not yet reduced prices; the remaining 6 stations have not yet reached an agreement with investors on the adjusted prices.

Of the 18 projects currently under investment, prices have been reduced at 4 stations; 9 stations have low collection rates according to regulations and have not yet reduced prices; the remaining 5 stations have not yet reduced prices because investors have not agreed to adjust prices.

Director General of the Vietnam Road Administration Nguyen Van Huyen said that the unit is reviewing with the project investor to agree on adjusting the financial plan in the direction of reducing fees for people in the affected area near the toll station as well as reducing fees for all vehicles.

According to Mr. Huyen, the review and negotiation is expected to be completed in October so that the General Department can propose to the Ministry of Transport for consideration and approval. If approved, the fee reduction will be implemented next November.

Regarding the review and reduction of fees for BOT projects, Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Ngoc Dong said: "The Ministry's viewpoint is to adjust fees in a downward trend. After reviewing any BOT station, the road fees at that project will be immediately reduced."

The leader of the Vietnam Road Administration also said that, implementing Resolution No. 35/NQ-CP dated May 16, 2016 of the Government, the Ministry of Transport has been coordinating with the Ministry of Finance to actively review the preliminary investment costs, financial plans, etc. of BOT projects.

Along with that, the Ministry of Transport is actively negotiating with investors to continue reducing road service prices when applying Circular 35/2016/TT-BGTVT.

According to Urban Economics