Paying sidewalk rental fees, people escape the fear of running away from urban staff

From May 9, the People's Committee of District 1, Ho Chi Minh City began piloting sidewalk fee collection on 11 eligible routes. District 1 is also the first locality in Ho Chi Minh City to allow the use of a part of the sidewalk for business activities and goods trading with fees.

The pilot routes for sidewalk toll collection in District 1 include: Hoang Sa (Tan Dinh ward), Mac Dinh Chi (Da Kao ward), Hai Trieu and Chu Manh Trinh (Ben Nghe ward), Le Thanh Ton, Phan Boi Chau and Phan Chu Trinh (Ben Thanh ward), Ham Nghi (Nguyen Thai Binh ward), Tran Hung Dao (Pham Ngu Lao, Nguyen Cu Trinh, Cau Ong Lanh, Cau Kho wards), Co Bac (Cau Ong Lanh ward), Vo Van Kiet (Co Giang ward).

According to Giao thong Newspaper reporters, some roads where sidewalk toll collection is piloted have been well-received by the people. Tables and chairs are arranged neatly and tidily. Vehicles are also parked on the designated lines, not occupying the pedestrian lane.

But there are also some sections where people arrange their vehicles in a messy manner, spilling out onto the motorbike lane or the pedestrian lane.

Talking to Giao thong Newspaper reporter, Mr. Thach Cua (62 years old, living in Nha Be district) said that for more than 30 years, he has been selling on the sidewalk of Ham Nghi street (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City). Because he encroached on the sidewalk to sell goods, he could not avoid times of nervously watching urban staff or pushing his cart to escape every time the authorities came to check. Up to now, Mr. Cua has had more than 20 carts of cabinets and about 200 chairs confiscated.

"Making a living on the state's sidewalk is against the rules, so I have to accept it. The problem is that I have no capital, and if I don't sell small like this, I don't know what to do. Now the government rents the sidewalk, I registered to rent 2m, paying 200,000 VND per month. It's good, I don't have to run away or worry about having my vehicle confiscated anymore," said Mr. Cua.

Ms. Thuy Nguyen, manager of Com Tam Voi restaurant (Tran Hung Dao street, Nguyen Cu Trinh ward) shared that this restaurant rents 9m of sidewalk for 900,000 VND/month, payment is not made in cash. Regarding the registration procedure, Ms. Nguyen assessed it as quick and easy.

"The ward sent instructions for registering to use the sidewalk and has a QR code for people to follow. The link will have detailed instructions such as registering to temporarily use a part of the sidewalk; looking up information on temporary sidewalk registration; planned locations for paid parking; sidewalk digital map... After completing the registration, the ward will send a confirmation email and a link to pay the fee. Sidewalk rental fees are paid in advance when used in packages of 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. In general, it is very easy to do, quick and convenient," said Ms. Nguyen.

Ms. Nguyen added that although they have to pay extra to rent the sidewalk, the shop owners can display more items in front of the shop to attract more customers. In addition, the shops also have more space and add tables outside for customers who need them.

Regarding rental prices, District 1 applies based on the average land price in 5 areas, in the inner city will be higher than the suburbs. The lowest level for parking activities is 50,000 VND, the highest is 350,000 VND/m2 per month. Other activities will apply 20,000 - 100,000 VND/m2.

Ms. Thuy Hanh (a merchant on Tran Hung Dao Street, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward) said that the rental price of 100,000 VND/m2 is quite high. According to her, the rented sidewalk area can only accommodate 1-2 small tables or a shelf to sell drinks, which does not increase income from this source. Therefore, she thinks that the price of about 50-60,000 VND/m2 would be reasonable.

It is known that the sidewalk for rent must be at least 3m wide, of which 1.5m is for pedestrians, ensuring that it does not encroach on the roadway to avoid traffic accidents.

However, on Hai Trieu Street, the pedestrian section is quite narrow. This is a street with many tourists walking back and forth every day.

Many international tourists choose to sit outside on the sidewalk instead of sitting in air-conditioned rooms. Photo taken on Le Thanh Ton Street, Ben Nghe Ward - this is also the route where sidewalk usage fee collection is being piloted.

According to the People's Committee of District 1, this locality will pilot the use of part of the sidewalk with 11 streets from May 9 to September 30. After that, the locality will evaluate the pilot to implement the next steps.

District 1 will also continue to review and complete the list of roads and sidewalks that are eligible for organizing business services, buying and selling goods, and parking vehicles with fees according to the guidance of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport.

According to records on many roads where sidewalk fees have not been collected, sidewalk encroachment is very common. Many roads are packed with motorbikes, forcing pedestrians to walk on the road.

Information from some other urban management offices of districts in Ho Chi Minh City shows that currently, many units have sent the list of registered routes that will be implementing toll collection to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport and are waiting for instructions to implement. It is expected that toll collection will be implemented in the third quarter of 2024.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/tphcm-tra-phi-thue-via-he-nguoi-dan-thoat-canh-nom-nop-chay-tron-nhan-vien-do-thi-192240510141910493.htm