Nghe An: Intra-provincial passenger buses resume operation, inter-provincial buses still stop in many localities

On September 22, Nghe An Department of Transport issued Document No. 3265/SGTVT-VT on organizing passenger transport activities during the time when localities apply different levels of prevention and control.Covid-19 epidemic.

Accordingly, forintra-provincial passenger transport, allowing the resumption of passenger transport by car on fixed routes, contract vehicles, tourist vehicles, taxis, buses and passenger transport by inland waterways in Nghe An province with the condition that the operation does not exceed 50% of the number of vehicles of the unit. Each trip can only transport a maximum of 50% of the designed number of seats and no more than 20 people including the driver and assistant. As for sleeper buses, they are arranged with 2 rows of beds on both sides and all beds have curtains, and can carry the number of passengers according to the design.

Excerpt from document 3265 of Nghe An Department of Transport. Photo: Tien Dong

The Department of Transport also requested the People's Committees of districts, cities and towns to preside over the review of bus stops in the area, select temporary pick-up and drop-off locations during the complicated epidemic period. Limit pick-up and drop-off in densely populated areas to reduce the risk of infection in the community. If any district has a proposal, it should be sent to the Department of Transport for consideration to agree on temporary signboards.

According to our records, although intra-provincial passenger transport vehicles have been allowed to operate again, some passenger buses running on National Highway 48 and National Highway 7 have been picking up passengers, but this morning the travel demand of people is still very low.

This morning, many bus routes have not resumed operation. Some buses on National Highway 48 and National Highway 7 have picked up passengers, but there are still very few people on board. Photo: Tien Dong

Also this morning, many taxi companies resumed operations, but due to low passenger numbers and only being allowed to operate at no more than 50% of their vehicles, businesses have not yet operated at full capacity.

According to a representative of Mai Linh Nghe An taxi company, due to the complicated developments of the epidemic, the low number of passengers, and the fact that many drivers of the company in other localities have not yet returned to work, this morning only about 30 vehicles were operating again, while the total number of vehicles of this company operating in Vinh City area is about 500 vehicles.

Some taxi companies have resumed operations, but due to low demand for travel, vehicles are almost always waiting at pick-up points. Photo: Tien Dong

Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung - Head of Transport Management Department, Nghe An Department of Transport said: For transport business units, the Department of Transport requires to develop plans, register the number and list of vehicles and send them to the Transport Management Department before operating. Priority is especially encouraged to arrange for drivers who have been vaccinated to operate.

Regarding inter-provincial passenger transport activities, Nghe An province is currently temporarily suspending activities to and from provinces and cities that are implementing social distancing according to Directive 15 and social isolation according to Directive 16.

Mr. Hung also added that in the coming time, the Department of Transport will coordinate with the Departments of Transport of related provinces and cities to unify the plan for inter-provincial passenger transport activities to and from provinces and cities that have been declared free of the epidemic or are applying Directive 19. If the epidemic situation is stable and controlled, some inter-provincial passenger bus routes will be allowed to operate again to meet the travel needs of people./.