Why is passenger transport service at Vinh Market bus station being suspended?

Reduce traffic congestion and facilitate inner-city transportation.

Nghe An Department of TransportDecision No. 838/QD-SGTVT has been issued regarding the termination of passenger bus operations at Vinh Market Bus Station from April 30, 2023. Accordingly, Nghe An province will relocate all fixed passenger transport routes (including inter-provincial and intra-provincial routes) currently operating at Vinh Market Bus Station to bus stations in Vinh City and Hung Nguyen District. Currently, all passenger transport businesses, bus stations, and related units have received this decision.

Vinh Market bus station has a bustling flow of vehicles coming and going. Photo: QA

The Vinh Market Bus Station, located in Vinh Tan Ward, Vinh City, covers a total area of ​​over 15,000 square meters. Passenger and cargo transportation has been bustling at this station for many years. Specifically for passenger transport, the Vinh Market Bus Station has 110 registered vehicles operating on 18 routes. Among intra-provincial routes, the Vinh - Que Phong route has the highest number of registered vehicles, similarly for inter-provincial routes, the Nghe An - Quang Binh route.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Nguyen Van Hai, Deputy Director of the Department of Transport, said: The cessation of passenger transport operations at Vinh Market bus station is part of the planning for the bus station system in Nghe An province. Currently, traffic pressure in Vinh City is very high, with a significant increase in the number of private vehicles, especially cars, frequently causing congestion. In addition, the area around Vinh Market bus station has narrow roads and is a major hub for goods trading in the province, resulting in heavy traffic and frequent traffic jams and safety hazards.

Currently, Vinh Market Bus Station has 110 registered passenger buses in operation. Photo: QA

“Suspending passenger transport will reduce traffic pressure on the inner city of Vinh, prevent fixed-route buses from operating through the city center, limit illegal stopping and passenger poaching that disrupts traffic safety, and contribute to reducing congestion in the inner city…” said Mr. Nguyen Van.Hai emphasized.

Mr. Hai also cited the old Vinh bus station, located at 77 Le Loi Street, as a specific example. Before the relocation to the North Vinh bus station, the area near the station on Le Loi Street was always crowded and chaotic, with bus operators constantly soliciting passengers, causing traffic safety and public order issues. Not to mention, Le Loi Street is a key thoroughfare in Vinh City with a high volume of traffic, leading to frequent congestion. Since the successful relocation of the Vinh bus station to the North Vinh bus station in April 2018, these problems have been resolved. Therefore, ending passenger transport at the Cho Vinh bus station and moving it to suburban bus stations is reasonable and appropriate given the current situation.

The roads around Vinh Market bus station are always crowded. Photo: QA

On May 30, 2011, the People's Committee of Nghe An province issued Decision No. 25/2011/QD-UBND on the promulgation of the plan for the system of passenger bus stations in Nghe An province until 2020. This decision clearly stated that the locations of some bus stations were no longer suitable for the transportation system plan in the province and needed to be relocated (specifically, Vinh bus station, Vinh Market bus station...). By April 2018, Vinh bus station had been relocated to the north of Vinh. Vinh Market bus station, however, is still in operation to this day.

Mr. Duong Ngoc Thang, owner of a passenger bus operating the Vinh - Ky Anh route, said: "Our bus has been registered to operate at Vinh Market bus station since 2010, which is 13 years now. Currently, the bus company has received notification from the Department of Transportation and the bus station. Although we believe that the change to a new bus station and route will cause fluctuations in passenger numbers, this is a major policy of the province to ensure transportation for the community, so we will comply."

Ensure progress

Mr. Le Van Khuyen, Head of Vinh Market Bus Station, said: "After receiving the decision from the Department of Transport, we widely announced it to passenger transport units registered at the bus station through various channels. Recently, we also held a meeting with transport businesses and bus operators to understand the situation and have them sign a commitment to cease passenger transport at Vinh Market Bus Station on schedule by April 30th."

Freight transport operations continue as normal at Vinh Market bus station even after passenger transport services cease. Photo: QA

“All bus companies have agreed on a plan to move to the Nam Vinh bus station, located in Hung Loi commune, Hung Nguyen district, after ceasing passenger pick-up and drop-off at the Vinh Market bus station. Freight transport at the bus station will continue as normal, so bus companies and traders should not panic,” he said.Recommendation: Please emphasize.

Mr. Lu Thanh Trung, owner of a 29-seat passenger bus operating the Vinh - Que Phong route at Vinh Market bus station, shared: "Recently, inter-provincial passenger transport like ours has faced many difficulties due to competition from illegal buses, makeshift bus stops, and unlicensed public buses. There were times when we only had 5-10 passengers traveling from Que Phong to Vinh, not enough to cover our costs. Therefore, we will also implement the relocation plan as directed, but we hope that the authorities will facilitate the arrangement of a suitable new route so that passenger pick-up can proceed smoothly, and the number of passengers can still be maintained for bus companies to operate."

The number of passengers at Vinh Market bus station is not as high as at other bus stations. Photo: QA

Mr. Nguyen Van Hai, Deputy Director of the Department of Transport, said: The Department is directing relevant departments, divisions, and units to expedite procedures to ensure that the cessation of passenger transport operations at Cho Vinh bus station proceeds as planned on April 30th.

Regarding the port management unit, the Department requests the Port Joint Stock Company to...Nghe An province is reviewing transportation businesses, the number of vehicles, and the schedules of fixed passenger transport routes (including inter-provincial and intra-provincial routes) currently operating at Vinh Market bus station. Simultaneously, they are disseminating information and raising awareness among transportation businesses, vehicle owners, and passengers to ensure smooth and uninterrupted passenger transport operations during the relocation process.

Passengers board and disembark at Vinh Market bus station. Photo: QA

The Nghe An Department of Transport requests that the Departments of Transport of provinces and centrally-governed cities inform relevant passenger transport businesses about the plan to cease operations at Vinh Market bus station and to relocate fixed passenger transport routes to and from bus stations in Vinh City and Hung Nguyen District, in order to coordinate implementation in accordance with the directives of the Nghe An Provincial People's Committee.