Entrance and exit fees at bus and train stations in Nghe An: Different rates at different locations?

"Price chaos" at bus and train stations: Different rates everywhere.

Recent complaints from residents indicate significant discrepancies in entrance and exit fees at bus and train stations in the former Vinh City. Some people are charged 10,000–15,000 VND for just a few minutes to pick up or drop off passengers; in some cases, people are charged up to 25,000 VND for retrieving goods and then leaving. These figures immediately sparked debate about the fairness and transparency of the fee collection process.

To verify this, the reporter went there in person.Vinh Market Bus Station– belonging to Nghe An Bus Station Joint Stock Company. In the morning, there is a large volume of vehicles entering and exiting, mainly for sending or receiving goods. Here, staff collect money right at the gate but do not issue tickets regularly, only giving them upon customer request. On one occasion, when driving a 5-seater car into and out of the station, the reporter was charged 12,000 VND; tickets were only issued upon request. This has raised concerns about transparency among many people.

Residents' complaints suggest the fees may be even higher. Mr. Nhat, a resident of Truong Vinh ward, recounted that he went to pick up a bag of pomelos sent by his family, only stopping his vehicle for a few minutes to load the goods, but was charged 25,000 VND. When he questioned this, he received a ticket stating "docking service fee." He added:"I only came to pick up the goods and didn't use any services, yet I was still charged that fee. Meanwhile, I already had to pay for shipping."The transport company has already paid the terminal fees. Why should the customer have to pay such a high additional fee?

At the North Vinh Bus Station, also managed by Nghe An Bus Station Joint Stock Company, the fee for a 5-seater car is 12,000 VND per trip. Staff only issue tickets upon request. The difference is that drivers are given a card upon entry and return it upon exit, but the date section on tickets at both stations is left blank, making verification difficult.

Not only the bus station, but Vinh Train Station is also applying a fee of 10,000 VND during the day and 15,000 VND at night for each vehicle entering to pick up or drop off passengers. Even if the stop is only for a few minutes, drivers still have to pay a fee equivalent to parking per stop. Many ride-hailing drivers say this fee is not appropriate given the very short stopping time.

Prior to the temporary suspension of operations for repairs,Vinh AirportApplying a time-based fee mechanism: 4,000 VND for the first 10 minutes, with an additional 4,000 VND charged for exceeding that time... This method is considered more reasonable by the public because it encourages quick vehicle entry and exit, reduces congestion, and still ensures accurate and sufficient fee collection.

The discrepancies in toll rates raise the question: If they are all short-term passenger pick-up and drop-off services, why does each unit set its own toll rates?

Legal loopholes and the need to restore order in fee collection.

Through our investigation, we learned that previously, parking fees in Nghe An province were collected according to Decision No. 80/2016/QD-UBND dated December 20, 2016, of the Provincial People's Committee. The parking fees were specifically regulated for each type of vehicle, and organizations, units, and individuals involved in managing and operating parking services generally followed Decision No. 80. However, this document did not address the case of vehicles entering and exiting the parking lot for only a short period, creating a legal loophole that led to inconsistent application in different locations.

On November 12, 2024, the Provincial People's Committee issued Decision 57/2024/QD-UBND on state management of prices. According to this regulation, parking services funded by the state budget will be appraised by the Department of Finance; the maximum price for entry and exit services at bus stations will be appraised by the Department of Transport (currently the Department of Construction).

However, in reality, there are currently no parking lots in Nghe An province that have been funded by the state budget, leading to the Department of Finance not participating in the price assessment. In this context, parking lot operators continue to apply the old pricing decisions, resulting in the current lack of uniformity.

Mr. Nguyen Trung Long, Head of the Price and Public Assets Management Department of the Nghe An Provincial Department of Finance, stated: Although the units set their own fee levels, they must still fully comply with the regulations of the law on pricing and the law on enterprises. This means that fee collection must be public, transparent, and ensure the rights of service users.

Regarding the assessment of service fees for entering and exiting the port, Mr. Tran Anh Tuan, Head of the Transport Management Department of the Nghe An Department of Construction, said that for a long time, operating units have been applying the old provincial price regulations. The Department is surveying and developing a new pricing plan, which is expected to be submitted to the competent authority for promulgation in the near future to overcome the situation where each place has its own pricing.

Many argue that to avoid price gouging, parking fees should be based on the actual time vehicles are parked, similar to the model at airports: initially, fees are waived or low for quick entry and exit, and higher rates are only applied for longer stops. Simultaneously, parking lots should install systems to count the number of vehicles and the time spent, and tickets must clearly state the date, time, and fee, avoiding blank spaces that hinder inspection.

Simultaneously, it is necessary to strengthen inspections and audits to strictly handle acts of overcharging, incorrect charging, or failure to issue tickets. A clear and transparent fee collection process will help reassure the public and create a healthy business environment for terminal operators.

The lack of uniformity in the collection of entrance and exit fees at bus and train stations in Nghe An is causing significant inconvenience to residents and generating negative public opinion. The early issuance of a unified, scientific, and transparent pricing framework will not only address immediate concerns but also contribute to building a civilized and modern transportation environment. When all fees are clearly defined and in accordance with regulations, public trust will be strengthened, creating a foundation for the sustainable development of public services in the area.