Digitalization of parking lots and terminals

Lam Dong is making efforts to promote the digitalization of the toll collection system at bus stations and urban parking lots. This is an important part of the roadmap to modernize transport infrastructure and promote the national digital economy under the direction of the Government. However, the implementation process is also revealing many challenges from the grassroots.

North Phan Thiet bus station. Photo: Dinh Hoa

A step to improve the efficiency of urban traffic management

Initiated by the Ministry of Construction , based on Decree No. 119/2024/ND-CP of the Government issued on September 30, 2024 on electronic payment in road traffic, the implementation of the non-stop toll collection model (ETC) is not only to change the payment method but is expected to improve the efficiency of urban traffic management, diversify payment methods, bring maximum convenience to vehicle owners, and at the same time increase competitiveness among service providers. More importantly, this is considered a step demonstrating a strong commitment to digital transformation and developing a cashless society in the country. Therefore, this task not only affects the efficiency of traffic management but also demonstrates the digital transformation capacity of the locality.

The Department of Construction has stepped in, actively propagating and guiding units, transport businesses, as well as people about the benefits and how to use electronic payment methods. Along with that, it requires communes, wards, and special zones to urgently deploy the non-stop toll collection model. The goal is to ensure 100% deployment at all parking lots in the province before the end of December 2025.

Don Duong bus station is deserted, only 2-3 buses enter and exit the station every day.

Challenges from the grassroots

However, the current implementation speed in the province has not been achieved and is uneven. Actual records from some bus stations show that due to the very low number of vehicles entering and leaving the station and the high cost of implementing non-stop toll collection, about 300 million VND, many bus stations are not very interested when instructed to implement. For example, at Don Duong Bus Station, there are only 3-4 trips of vehicles entering and leaving the station each day while the number of passenger vehicles present in the commune is not small. With a small number of vehicles, the ability to recover capital and maintain operations becomes a problem that makes bus stations indifferent and uninterested.

“Currently, we have not implemented non-stop toll collection because the bus station's revenue has been very low in the past. The situation of evading the law and "avoiding" the bus station is still quite common in the area. Although the number of passenger vehicles registered at the station has doubled, the actual number of vehicles entering the station each day is only half the number registered. There are bus companies that have registered but no vehicles have entered the station. Many bus companies have chosen to switch to contract mode to avoid entering the station, causing loss of revenue and difficulties in management. We hope for the attention of the government and relevant departments to resolve this issue,” shared the manager of Don Duong Bus Station.

To ensure the goal of 100% ETC implementation at parking lots and bus stations in the province by December 2025, it is necessary to have synchronous coordination and determination from all levels and sectors. Based on the actual operation of bus stations, it is also necessary for localities to pay attention to reviewing, perfecting, and at the same time having flexible and appropriate solutions to handle the situation of "dodging" stations, in order to ensure traffic order and safety in the area and support stations to maintain effective operations.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/so-hoa-ben-bai-dau-xe-400850.html