One proposed solution to curb illegal taxis and unauthorized bus stops is to install surveillance cameras at hotspots, allowing authorities to promptly detect and strictly handle violations.
They carelessly stop and park to pick up passengers in the middle of the road.
In recent days, it has not been difficult to see hundreds of passenger buses constantly stopping and parking indiscriminately on Pham Hung road (My Dinh, Nam Tu Liem, Hanoi ) heading towards Thang Long bridge to pick up and drop off passengers.
Buses crawl along, picking up passengers outside My Dinh Bus Station.
Every day, Ms. Nguyen Thuy (Chuong My, Hanoi) says that the long lines of passenger buses stopping and parking illegally cause even more traffic congestion, especially during peak hours. "The buses suddenly stop or cut in front of other vehicles to pick up and drop off passengers illegally, which is very dangerous," Ms. Thuy commented.
According to observations, the vehicles often stop and park close to the roadside, even on the sidewalk or right at bus stops, moving at a snail's pace. As soon as there is no sign of law enforcement, the doors are quickly opened so the conductor can let passengers board.
For example, on the morning of January 2nd, in just about 30 minutes, at the section passing through My Dinh Bus Station, reporters witnessed dozens of vehicles stopping and parking indiscriminately to pick up passengers, despite the no-parking signs.
Instead of going inside the bus station to buy tickets, dozens of people stood waiting by the roadside to catch a bus. Notably, many passengers even casually stood in the middle of the road to exchange luggage, causing chaos and disrupting traffic safety.
Proposal to install cameras at hotspots.
A representative from Traffic Police Team No. 6, Hanoi City Police Department, stated that the problem of illegal taxis and picking up passengers in violation of regulations has been ongoing for many years, especially during the end of the year. Despite the strict enforcement by traffic police and transport inspectors, many taxi companies, driven by profit, continue to disregard the rules and violate regulations.
To address the root cause of illegal taxis and unauthorized bus stops, authorities need to investigate whether there is any protection or complicity involved. If so, serious action and public disclosure of violations are necessary to set an example and create a deterrent effect.
Transportation expert, Dr. Nguyen Huu Duc
"In addition to increasing the deployment of patrol and control forces at hotspots, the authorities have directly visited businesses, transport companies, and representative offices to disseminate information and request signed commitments. However, violations still occur. The unit will conduct a basic investigation of the area and quickly identify new violations and new tactics used by transport companies in order to handle them," said a representative of Traffic Police Team No. 6.
According to Mr. Dao Viet Long, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Transport, during the operation of passenger transport businesses, several common violations have arisen, such as contract vehicles and tourist vehicles stopping to pick up and drop off passengers in unauthorized locations; and vehicles with 10 seats or more organizing combined trips and bookings without a transport contract.
Regular-route passenger buses move at a snail's pace on roads around bus stations, stopping to pick up and drop off passengers and load/unload goods in unauthorized locations, speeding, reckless overtaking, competing for passengers, and violating speed limits…
Hanoi is proposing the installation of surveillance cameras on key roads and bus station areas to enable authorities to inspect, monitor, detect, and strictly handle violations in a timely manner. Simultaneously, the city is promoting the application of information technology and improving the efficiency of data exploitation from vehicle tracking devices for enforcement purposes.
In addition, Hanoi has established an inter-agency task force to inspect passenger pick-up and drop-off activities in the area; assigning responsibility to districts and communes when illegal passenger pick-up and drop-off points occur.
We need a "specific cure".
According to transportation expert Dr. Nguyen Huu Duc, during the end-of-year period when travel demand increases, the phenomenon of illegal taxis and unauthorized bus stops tends to rise. This situation not only disrupts traffic safety but also causes tax revenue losses for the State, while the rights of passengers are not guaranteed in the event of accidents.
Buses crawl along slowly, soliciting passengers outside My Dinh Bus Station.
"Many transport businesses use very sophisticated tricks to deliberately circumvent the law and evade inspection and supervision by authorities. Eliminating illegal taxis and unauthorized bus stops is not a new issue, but it's also not something that can be done overnight," Mr. Duc said.
To address the issue effectively, Mr. Duc believes that a comprehensive approach involving multiple solutions is necessary. First and foremost, it's crucial to strengthen inspections and strictly penalize violations through the establishment of inter-agency task forces and regular inspections in areas considered hotspots.
In addition, it is necessary to invest in upgrading bus station infrastructure, ensuring convenience and safety to attract people to choose official bus stations instead of unlicensed buses; clearly regulate departure times, pick-up and drop-off points, and strictly control the operations of bus companies at official stations.
Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/ha-noi-ngan-xe-du-ben-coc-long-hanh-cuoi-nam-192250106225440882.htm
