Nghe An: Trains and buses hold their breath waiting for Tet holiday passengers.

At this time, the most noticeable thing at bus and train stations in Nghe An province is the lack of passengers on all routes. Despite being in the peak passenger transport season for Tet (Lunar New Year), the passenger pick-up and drop-off areas are very empty. Compared to the same period last year, the number of passengers has decreased significantly. This is causing real concern for bus companies regarding the prospects for the Tet season.loss.

The passenger pick-up and drop-off area of ​​the North Bus Station is deserted, with modern sleeper buses sitting idle, waiting for passengers. Photo: Tien Dong

A driver on the Vinh - Lang Son route said that despite the approaching Tet holiday, the number of passengers is very low. Each round trip between Vinh and Lang Son costs over 11 million VND, but some trips only have 3 crew members and 2 passengers. In previous years, at this time, many people traveled to the northern border areas to shop for Tet or to buy goods for resale. But this year, fear of the pandemic has led to very few people traveling. Bus companies are forced to continue operating because they have already secured their routes, even though they know that the more they operate, the more losses they incur.

Many migrant workers said that this year is difficult due to meager salaries and bonuses, so the whole family decided to stay home for Tet (Lunar New Year) to save on expenses, waiting for more stable jobs and income before returning.

Occasionally, a few passengers board the bus, while dozens of buses depart from Bac Vinh bus station every night heading to northern provinces. Photo: Tien Dong

Currently, bus companies are monitoring the passenger situation to see if the demand is favorable before making necessary adjustments, arranging additional vehicles, or implementing other necessary changes.ticket price.

Train ticket prices are posted and updated on bulletin boards for passengers to easily monitor. Photo: Tien Dong

PrivaterailwayThis year, there are 10 additional train pairs running between Saigon and Hanoi and vice versa. In addition, 2-3 extra train pairs are also added to the Vinh route from Saigon and Hanoi. It is known that train ticket prices for the Lunar New Year 2021 have been adjusted down by 10-20% compared to the 2020 Lunar New Year, depending on the travel time.

However, while last year, in the month before, during, and after Tet (Lunar New Year), there were 48,236 passengers arriving and 41,479 passengers departing from Vinh Station, averaging 2,000 passengers per day, this year the number is predicted to decrease. Despite the first phase of ticket sales starting on October 1st, 2020, a significant number of tickets remain unsold.

Despite plans to increase the number of train services, the number of passengers arriving and departing from Vinh is expected to decrease compared to last year's Tet holiday. Photo: Tien Dong

According to Mr. Cao Ngoc Tuan, Head of Vinh Railway Transport Station, this year, due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of passengers traveling to and from Vinh Station is expected to decrease. The number of tourists and those visiting relatives will also decrease.

Due to concerns about a potential COVID-19 outbreak, many people are rushing to return home before Tet (Lunar New Year), avoiding peak travel periods which are both unsafe and prone to traffic congestion. (Photo: Tien Dong)

Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung, Head of the Transport Management Department of the Nghe An Department of Transport, said that during last year's Tet holiday, across all three modes of transport – road, rail, and air – there were approximately 200,000 people traveling to and from Nghe An. However, starting from the 6th day of the first lunar month of the Year of the Rat, due to the implementation of social distancing measures, the number of passengers traveling from Vinh (mainly students) decreased sharply. This year, if the pandemic situation stabilizes, the number of passengers traveling to and from Nghe An during Tet is expected to increase, but certainly not to the same level as in previous years.

The number of visitors to and from Nghe An during Tet is expected to increase, but it will not reach the levels of previous years. Photo: Tien Dong

Mr. Hung also stated that at the end of December 2020, the Steering Committee for Passenger Transportation during the Lunar New Year 2021 of Nghe An province issued a plan to organize and implement passenger transportation services before, during, and after the Lunar New Year 2021, aiming to ensure safe and convenient travel for the people. Regarding fare adjustments, the transportation sector absolutely does not encourage fare increases; any unit wishing to increase fares must notify the relevant authorities in writing 5 days in advance. Violations will be handled according to regulations.