Automatic non-stop toll collection at BOT stations in 2019

According to the perception, to combat the current situation of fee evasion and revenue evasion on BOT routes, only non-stop automatic toll collection can be implemented. Because, the revenue at the station on a daily basis will be transmitted directly to the authorities, management agencies, BOT enterprises and banks.

However, up to now, after many delays, the automatic non-stop toll collection on National Highway 1 as well as Ho Chi Minh Road has not been able to be deployed simultaneously.

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Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The said that, according to the Prime Minister's direction, by the end of 2018, automatic non-stop road toll collection must be implemented at all toll stations on National Highway 1 and Ho Chi Minh Road through the Central Highlands. Although the Ministry of Transport has regularly urged, the project's progress has been delayed and has not yet been implemented as required.

In addition to the slow progress in installing the automatic toll collection system infrastructure, the leaders of the Ministry of Transport also pointed out that the Vietnam Road Administration did not accept and implement previous instructions, leading to confusion and difficulties in implementation.

“Why not apply full automation, allowing vehicles that do not pay to still pass, then collect the fees through the inspection center and have a mechanism and sanctions to collect the late payment? To do this, a legal basis must be built, but why is there no such basis yet?” - the leader of the Ministry of Transport raised the question.

The report of the Vietnam Road Administration shows that in the BOO project phase 1, there are 44 stations (including 18 additional stations from August 2018) and 29 stations have been installed, 27 toll stations with automatic lanes have been put into operation. On National Highway 1 and Ho Chi Minh Road through the Central Highlands, there are 10 more stations included in the BOO project phase 2. According to the direction of the Minister, by the end of June 2019, these stations must be installed and put into operation.

However, the Minister of Transport requested the Vietnam Road Administration to urgently end the manual toll collection phase to switch to fully automatic toll collection in 2019. There is no way to switch to non-stop automatic toll collection until 2020.

Regarding the current use of money in VETC's prepaid accounts, Mr. The said that it has not created benefits for account owners and people.

Because the total amount deposited in advance into the prepaid account can generate profit but the profit does not return to serve the people.

“Currently, money deposited into the account is transferred to BIDV bank but does not count interest, so people do not benefit. The Ministry of Transport will work with banks to find solutions so that the funds in the account generate interest and return to serve the account owners and people,” Mr. The informed.

In addition, the non-stop automatic toll collection system must demonstrate openness and transparency so that people, organizations and units can monitor it together.

Specifically, at automatic toll stations, there must be an automatic electronic information board displaying each passing vehicle and each collected amount to make the toll collection transparent. Technology can do it completely and only then will people trust in implementing non-stop toll collection.