Brokers appear to make free cards to cross Ben Thuy bridge

(Baonghean.vn) - Ben Thuy I BOT Station has only been issuing free tickets for less than 2 weeks, but due to the high demand, a group of "brokers" specializing in providing card services to people has appeared here.

Right on the sidewalk, in front of the entrance to the Ben Thuy I BOT Station, there were more than 10 men gathered in groups, always looking around. As soon as they saw someone stop and get out of the car, the "brokers" immediately rushed over to ask enthusiastically, quickly grabbed their shirts, and continuously solicited them.

Mr. Nguyen Ky Dung in Block 7, Cua Nam Ward, Vinh City, had just stopped his car when the brokers took care of him and gave him enthusiastic advice. Holding in his hand a set of documents including papers notarized locally according to regulations, Mr. Dung gave them to broker Ly and was promised that after only 30 minutes, he would be able to make a free bridge card for 200,000 VND/card.

Mr. Dung shared: "It took a lot of time to do the procedures, had to line up to get a number, wait for my turn to be called. I arrived late, and couldn't make it in time because it was the end of the session, so I asked the "broker" to speed things up."

Every day, Ben Thuy I BOT station handles about 600 - 700 applications for free tickets for people. Photo: PV

In the same situation as Mr. Dung, Mr. Nguyen Van Nam in Hung Nguyen district was surrounded by brokers as soon as he got out of the car. After being consulted by the brokers, he was also persuaded because he was afraid of wasting time and waiting for a long time, he gave his documents to a short and stocky broker with an agreement of 200,000 VND/card. Less than 30 minutes later, the broker gave Mr. Nam a free card and received the remuneration as initially agreed.

According to observations, within just 1 hour, the brokers had completed nearly 10 free card applications for people. Most of the people, when invited and enticed by the brokers and afraid of wasting time, gave their applications to the brokers to complete.

Seeing that I was hesitant, the brokers enthusiastically advised: “Just give me your documents and we will do it for you. We are familiar with them, it will only take a moment, no need to wait long. If you go inside to get a number, you will have to wait all morning, sometimes you can only get it at the end of the day.”

"Broker" Ly boldly said: "We work as motorbike taxi drivers, and since the station started making free cards for people, we've been working extra. I only charge for the service fee, not much else. We have acquaintances so we can do the paperwork quickly. If you come in now, it will take all day and you still won't be able to finish."

Broker Ly receives documents and advises customers. Photo: PV

Through observation, after receiving the customer's documents, the "brokers" were "priority" to go inside first. Therefore, many people expressed their annoyance when they were interrupted by others when their turn was almost up.

Mr. Tam, who lives in Hong Son ward, Vinh city, said indignantly: "I waited in line here all morning until my number was almost up, then someone else cut in front of me. We need fairness, whoever comes first gets first, whoever comes later gets last."

According to the representative of Ben Thuy I BOT Station, since the procedure of issuing free tickets for exempted vehicles has been overloaded with documents every day. On average, the station can only issue 600 cards per day, but the number of documents often reaches thousands. Many people who have been waiting for a long time are impatient and frustrated, but because their turn has not come yet, they still have to continue waiting.

On average, the station only issues 600 cards per day, but the number of applications often reaches thousands. Photo: PV

People who come directly to the station to do the procedures are completely free, without having to pay any money, while using the service costs 200,000 VND. The situation of "brokers" soliciting not only causes insecurity but also traffic safety. Given the current rampant situation of "brokers" making free cards, it is thought that Ben Thuy I BOT Station needs to review and rectify the above situation to ensure fairness and civilization in handling card issuance procedures for people./.

PV