Will deal with illegal vehicles after a series of Que Phong passenger vehicles went on strike

(Baonghean.vn) - The Department of Transport Inspectorate and the functional departments of Que Phong district have recorded the opinions of representatives of Que Phong bus owners to inspect and handle "illegal" buses.

» Dozens of bus companies on strike, Vinh - Que Phong route paralyzed

On the afternoon of November 9, Mr. Sam Ba Tuan - Head of the Economic and Infrastructure Department of Que Phong district said that the department had sent a report to the Department of Transport about the incident of a series of passenger buses running on fixed routes simultaneously ceasing operations to protest against "illegal" buses.

According to Mr. Tuan, early in the morning of November 9, 19 out of 47 passenger cars at the station were not operating to protest the phenomenon of private cars (from 7 to 9 seats) participating in the passenger transport business against regulations, competing for customers with vehicles running on fixed routes. The passenger cars that were closed on the morning of November 9 mainly ran on the Que Phong - Vinh and Que Phong - Ha Tinh routes.

Bus owners on strike at Que Phong Bus Station. Photo: Hung Cuong

The suspension of these 19 vehicles does not affect people's travel and trade, and the number of passengers participating in transportation is still operating and circulating normally.

“The initial reason we know is that the fixed bus companies think that recently, private and family cars have been competing with fixed buses for customers, affecting their revenue. Detecting and controlling these private cars is very difficult because they mainly pick up and drop off at homes,” said Mr. Tuan.

At the meeting with representatives of the bus station owners, the Que Phong Economic Infrastructure Department and the Department of Transport Inspectorate received feedback on the fixed bus station and instructed these businesses to make a petition so that the relevant agencies have a basis to inspect and handle the "illegal" buses to ensure healthy business operations in accordance with the law.

The owner of TH bus company - a bus company that has been operating at Que Phong bus station for nearly 10 years, said indignantly, "We invest in buying buses, registering fixed bus routes and paying taxes to the State according to regulations to transport passengers. Every month, we spend nearly 5 million VND on parking fees and taxes, while recently, some "illegal" buses with 7-9 seats have been operating to pick up and drop off passengers without having to pay any fees."

"Transporting passengers not on registered routes can potentially cause accidents for passengers. Moreover, they do not have to pay parking fees, and the taxes they have to pay will be a loss to the budget," said Mr. H. - the owner of TH bus company indignantly.

Que Phong district's report on 19 fixed vehicles stopping running on the morning of November 9. Photo: Nam Phuc

Mr. Hoang Xuan Cuong - Captain of Traffic Inspection Team No. 4, Department of Transport said that the "illegal" vehicles that fixed bus companies reported were mainly family cars with 7-9 seats, mainly providing pick-up and drop-off services at home, so it was difficult to inspect and handle. "The Department's Inspectorate will step in to inspect and rectify the situation of illegal vehicles to ensure the rights of fixed-route bus companies," Mr. Cuong affirmed.

It is expected that tomorrow (November 10), the bus companies will resume normal operations after being informed, explained, and receiving feedback from the relevant departments. It is known that the fixed bus fare for the Que Phong - Vinh route is 80,000 VND/person/trip, while the fare for the illegal bus is 100,000 VND/person/trip.

As reported by Nghe An Newspaper, on the morning of November 9, many fixed vehicles at Que Phong bus station simultaneously “striked” to protest against “illegal” vehicles. The owners of these vehicles gathered at the ticket office and dispatched vehicles at Que Phong bus station to request the authorities to clarify the issue of “illegal” vehicles that do not display signs of their names and routes but still pick up and drop off passengers in the area.

The fixed bus companies all said that the illegal buses operating openly have taken away their customers. While the fixed bus companies have to pay parking fees and monthly taxes to maintain their fixed routes, the illegal buses do not have to pay any taxes or fees./.

Nam Phuc