Bus ticket prices in Nghe An to other provinces increased by 38%

(Baonghean) - After Tet, the number of people from localities in the province moving to other provinces and cities to study and work has made passenger transport activities from Nghe An more bustling than ever. According to records, bus fares during Tet from Nghe An to other localities have increased from 22 to 38%, but intra-provincial routes have not increased.

Traffic inspectors check passenger buses preparing to depart at Vinh Bus Station. Photo: PV

Since the 4th day of Tet, passenger transport activities from Nghe An to provinces and cities across the country have been bustling. At the intersection through Quynh Hau commune (Quynh Luu), which is the waiting and catching point for buses for people in Quynh Doi, Quynh Hoa, Quynh Hau and Quynh Yen communes... there are always dozens of passengers waiting for buses to Ho Chi Minh City. Unlike previous years, this year the number of buses running the North - South route is relatively large, so passengers can choose and get on the bus they like. Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh, who lives near National Highway 1A - Quynh Hau commune, said that from the 6th day of Tet onwards, there are many buses running the North - South route, no longer the scene of waiting for hours like previous years, a bus passes every ten minutes.

According to the regulations, transport businesses are allowed to increase ticket prices during Tet to compensate for costs due to low number of passengers in the opposite direction.

However, in the province, there are many businesses and bus companies that do not increase ticket prices. Typically, in Dien Chau district, Vinh city, Cua Lo town... the ticket price of Van Minh bus company to Hanoi does not increase, stable at 225,000 VND/person. Meanwhile, Anh Dung bus company (Dien Chau) has 2 sleeper buses on the Vinh - Hanoi route, serving from the 3rd day of Tet, keeping the ticket price at 180,000 VND/ticket.

Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung - Head of Transport Management Department, Department of Transport added that during this year's Tet holiday, the Department of Transport organized a commitment signing with businesses, cooperatives, and individuals providing transport services not to increase ticket prices on intra-provincial routes and from Nghe An to Ha Tinh. That commitment has been implemented. As for inter-provincial routes, according to registrations by businesses and individuals, there are 91 routes with bus ticket prices increasing from 22 - 38%.

According to the registration sent to the Department of Transport and the Department of Finance, the two routes with the highest ticket prices are Vinh - Eastern Bus Station and Vinh - Dong Nai, 800,000 VND/person (increases of 29% and 23%). The route with the highest increase according to registration is Son Hai (Quynh Luu) - My Dinh (Hanoi) 38%. The reason for the high ticket prices of some North - South buses may be due to vehicles running from other provinces passing through Nghe An to pick up passengers. However, the hotline of the Transport Management Department has not received any feedback from the people. The increase in bus ticket prices is applied from January 17 to February 10, 2017 (ie from December 20, 2016 Lunar calendar to January 14, 2017 Lunar calendar).

Passenger buses pick up passengers along National Highway 1 in Dien Chau. Photo: Mai Giang

This year, during Tet, the number of passengers traveling on the roads has increased 2-3 times compared to normal days, not as stressful as previous years. Because the increased air and rail passenger services have reduced the load on the roads. That is also why this year there are fewer cases of passenger buses being overcrowded like previous years. That is the affirmation of Mr. Ha Tien Son - Deputy Chief Inspector of the Department of Transport.

According to Mr. Son, the Traffic Inspectorate also closely coordinates with the Traffic Police, the Public Order Police of Nghe An Province, bus station management units and transport enterprises and cooperatives to strengthen inspection of vehicles and drivers of passenger transport vehicles, strictly handle vehicles and drivers violating the provisions of the Road Traffic Law and transport business conditions; inspect and promptly prevent drivers who have drunk beer or alcohol, speeding and reckless driving; limit acts of competing for passengers, vehicles driving in circles, picking up and dropping off passengers in the wrong places, illegally transporting flammable and explosive substances, etc.

In localities, the authorities have increased inspection and control on the roads to remind and handle violating passenger vehicles; at the same time, they have increased inspection and control of traffic compliance for motorbikes, scooters, etc. Therefore, before, during and after Tet, traffic safety in the province is basically guaranteed.

N. Son - V. Hung - M. Giang