Nghe An rectify and strictly handle illegal vehicles

Faced with that situation, Nghe An Provincial People's Committee recently issued Official Dispatch No. 3465/UBND-CN dated May 8, 2023 to departments, branches and localities to continue directing the strengthening of rectification.

Illegal vehicles still operate openly

Recently, although the authorities have intervened to handle the situation, the reality is thatumbrella carcontinues to recur and is increasingly stronger in terms of the number of vehicles.

Just take a walk around the bus stops along Quang Trung, Le Loi, Nguyen Trai or Nguyen Phong Sac, Truong Thi streets... Or in front of major hospitals in Vinh City such as Nghe An General Hospital, Vinh City General Hospital, Oncology Hospital, Traumatology - Orthopedics Hospital... it is easy to see 5 to 7-seat cars operating illegally as passenger transport vehicles (unlicensed vehicles).

A private car carrying passengers into the lobby of Nghe An General Friendship Hospital (photo taken on the morning of May 29). Photo: PV

In terms of operation, it was basically the same as previous years. At 8am, we were passengers waiting for the bus at the bus stop in front of Quan Banh market. In just a few minutes, a bus arrived at the stop, but at the same time, a 7-seater car with license plate 37A. 47 xxx… also rushed to park in front of the bus. From inside the 7-seater car, the driver rolled down the window and asked, “Where are you going, Quynh Luu?” As soon as he said “yes”, the driver jumped out of the car, lifted us and our backpacks onto the car and quickly sped away.

In addition to picking up passengers at bus stops and in front of hospitals, whenever there was a phone call to report a passenger, this 7-seater car continued to circle the alleys to pick up passengers until the seats were full. After nearly an hour, this illegal car finally found enough passengers. Only then did the driver start to step on the gas and speed out of the city.

Still the same old way, to avoid evidence of charging passengers, in case the authorities disguised themselves as passengers and got on the bus to ask for the fare to catch them red-handed. Therefore, although the reporter asked the fare to Dien Chau town many times, the driver avoided it, and also did not ask the remaining passengers for money. Only when they reached the stop and the passengers got off the bus, did the driver get off to collect the fare.

According to research, the current ticket price from Vinh City to the plain districts is from 50 - 70 thousand VND/trip, depending on the distance, while to the mountainous districts such as Con Cuong, Que Phong... the price is higher, from 120 - 200 thousand VND/trip. Regarding the reason for choosing this type of vehicle, many people think that this vehicle is convenient, because any location the customer requests will be picked up and dropped off.

Strengthening correction

In fact, the operation of "illegal vehicles" not only causes unfair competition with bus companies and businesses registered for passenger transport, but also poses a potential risk to traffic safety. Because it often causes chaos, affecting security and order, traffic safety on routes and pick-up and drop-off points. Not to mention that, for official bus companies, risk insurance is included in the fare, but for illegal vehicles, this is of course not the case...

For the above reasons, the Provincial People's Committee has recently issued many documents directing local authorities to inspect and handle the situation. However, the illegal vehicle operation continues. According to the authorities, inspecting and handling illegal vehicles is not easy, so the number of illegal vehicles handled is still small compared to the reality. "To impose a fine, there must be evidence that they collect money from customers. However, the bus companies are becoming more and more sophisticated, and the customers do not cooperate with the authorities, so when asked, they all said that their family members were traveling with them, so they cannot be handled," said a traffic inspector.

Many illegal vehicles gathered on Nguyen Sy Sach Street, Vinh City (photo taken on the morning of May 29). Photo: PV

Faced with this reality, recently in Official Dispatch No. 3465/UBND-CN dated May 8, 2023 on strengthening the rectification of the work of ensuring traffic safety and order in transportation activities in the province, sent to departments, branches and localities, signed by Comrade Le Hong Vinh - Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, it clearly stated: In order for passenger transport business activities by car in the province to comply with the provisions of law, prevent and strictly handle the activities of "illegal cars", contribute to increasing budget revenue, limit insecurity and disorder, ensure fair and transparent competition in transportation business activities, the Provincial People's Committee assigned the Department of Transport to strengthen the management of passenger transport business activities by car in the province.

Take the lead in coordinating with the People's Committees of districts, cities and towns to review and guide organizations and individuals who want to participate in transportation business activities to meet the business requirements and conditions as prescribed by law. At the same time, direct the Department Inspectorate to coordinate with the Traffic Police and the police of districts and towns to inspect and handle the activities of private cars operating passenger transport business in violation of regulations. Review the provisions of the law, report and recommend the Ministry of Transport to study and supplement the regulations on business conditions for passenger transport by cars carrying 5-7 people (not operating as passenger transport by taxi) to effectively carry out the State management of passenger transport activities of this type of vehicle.

Illegal vehicles hide behind bus shelter signs to pick up and drop off passengers. Photo: NK

The Provincial People's Committee also assigned the Provincial Police to direct the Traffic Police Department, the police of districts, cities and towns to increase patrols and use professional measures according to the provisions of law to handle private cars with 5-7 seats that violate the regulations on passenger transport business. The Department of Information and Communications shall preside over and coordinate with relevant agencies to organize inspections and examinations of the activities of organizations and individuals related to passenger transport business on the internet system, and handle violations according to regulations.

On the part of the People's Committees of districts, cities and towns, the Traffic Safety Committee at the district level shall preside over and coordinate with the People's Committees at the commune level to review, count and make a list of the number of vehicles and owners of private vehicles with 5-7 seats in the area that show signs of using vehicles to participate in passenger transport business activities. Along with that, strengthen, propagate, disseminate and educate the law on conditions for passenger transport business to vehicle owners and sign a commitment with vehicle owners not to participate in passenger transport business activities contrary to the provisions of law. If there is a need to conduct passenger transport business activities, it is necessary to register with the competent authority to be licensed to operate in accordance with regulations.

The Provincial People's Committee also requested the People's Committees of districts, cities and towns to step up propaganda and mobilize officials and people in the area when they need to travel by car, to choose vehicles that have been licensed for transportation business to ensure safety and benefits; not to use transportation services contrary to regulations.

Thus, with the drastic direction and specific responsibility assignment to each department, branch and locality of the Provincial People's Committee, it is hoped that the situation of illegal vehicles will be thoroughly handled, in order to create fairness for other means of transport business, as well as restore traffic safety and order, avoiding problems arising related to this unrecognized form of passenger transport business.