Why was Decision 32 on sidewalk usage fees in Ho Chi Minh City abolished?

(NLĐO) - The repeal of Decision 32 of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee on the temporary management and use of a portion of the road and sidewalk in the city aims to comply with current regulations.

The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee has issued a document assigning the Department of Transport and Public Works (GTCC) to take the lead and coordinate with the Department of Justice to advise the city on the repeal of Decision No. 32/2023/QD-UBND regulating the temporary management and use of a portion of the roadbed and sidewalks in the city. The review must ensure compliance with the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety and Government Decree 165/2024. The review must be completed before April 15, 2025.

In addition, the Department of Transport and Public Works is tasked with leading and coordinating with other units to propose to the People's Committee and the City People's Council for consideration and issuance of a Resolution to replace Resolution 15/2023 and Resolution 08/2018 of the City People's Council.

Simultaneously, coordinate with the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Research and other relevant agencies and units to review, report, and propose to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee on the policy, scope, and budget for the project to exploit and utilize roadbeds and sidewalks in Ho Chi Minh City. This should be completed before April 10, 2025.

In coordination with the Department of Finance and relevant agencies and units, advise the City on the procedures and methods for receiving the "Software for managing the temporary use of roads and sidewalks" for implementation throughout the city from Visa Worldwide Pte. Limited, ensuring that it is put into operation in the second quarter of 2025.

Sidewalks are tidy after the implementation of parking fees in District 1.

According to the Department of Transport and Public Works, the use of roads and sidewalks for purposes other than those permitted must comply with Government Decree 165/2024. Therefore, the regulations on temporary use of roads and sidewalks under Decision 32/2023 of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee should be abolished soon.

Besides repealing Decision 32, according to the Department of Transport and Public Works, some activities using sidewalks not regulated in Decree 165 but suitable to the practical situation of Ho Chi Minh City (using sidewalks for business and trading, placing temporary structures, utility structures, etc.) can be considered for implementation through the development of a Project for exploiting road transport infrastructure assets according to Government Decree 44/2023.

The development of this project requires an organization capable of coordinating with various organizations, individuals, experts, and citizens to review, collect data, and conduct sociological surveys. Therefore, the Department of Transport and Public Works recommends that the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee consider assigning the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Research to develop this project.

Vehicles are parked neatly within the yellow lines in District 1.

According to a report from the Department of Transport and Public Works, after one year of implementing the management and collection of fees for temporary use of roads and sidewalks, the total amount collected so far is approximately 7 billion VND. Of this, the Department of Transport and Public Works collected about 2.5 billion VND (including cultural activities and the arrangement of public transport facilities such as bicycle stations and household waste transfer points), while the fees collected from districts 1, 3, 4, 8, 10, and 12 amounted to 4.5 billion VND (including business activities, goods trading, and the transfer of construction materials and waste on sidewalks).

In addition, local authorities imposed administrative penalties on 12,950 cases of violations related to sidewalk and street order, with fines totaling approximately 4.53 billion VND.

Simultaneously, in accordance with Resolution 01/2018 of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council, the Youth Volunteer Service Company Limited will organize paid parking services on over 20 routes (District 1: 12 routes, District 5: 3 routes, District 10: 5 routes), of which 3 routes will apply RFID technology (collection via traffic accounts from Etag/Epass card readers affixed to cars or dynamic QR code generation) starting from January 1, 2025.

As a result, from December 2020 to October 2024, the collection of parking fees for cars on the road generated 22 billion VND.

The Department of Transport and Public Works noted that the implementation of temporary road and sidewalk usage fees has received public support over time, contributing to ensuring traffic safety and urban aesthetics.

Charging fees for sidewalk use contributes to influencing people's habits, awareness, and behavior when using roads and sidewalks...

However, according to the Department of Transport and Public Works, despite positive changes, difficulties still exist in maintaining urban order and aesthetics in some areas.

Many localities are still reviewing and researching the issue, and have not yet implemented the collection of fees for the temporary use of a portion of the road and sidewalk. This has created some public debate regarding management practices and has resulted in unfairness for organizations and individuals who comply well with regulations.

In many places, sidewalks are still encroached upon and misused. Many organizations have set up large-scale paid parking areas for motorbikes on sidewalks without ensuring pedestrian access, and without obtaining permits or paying fees as required. Furthermore, the penalties for sidewalk violations are not sufficiently deterrent.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/vi-sao-bai-bo-quyet-dinh-32-ve-thu-phi-su-dung-via-he-o-tp-hcm-196250326174917831.htm