VietNamNet Bridge – An investigation of Ha Noi taxi drivers over the course of one month revealed more than 2,100 violations resulting in total administrative fines of VND1.5 billion (nearly $74,000).


A taxi picks up a customer in Ha Noi. More than 2,000 violations were discovered over a month of investigation of the city's taxi drivers. (Photo: VNS)
As many as 100 taxis were temporarily impounded during that time, reported an inter-agency team last Wednesday when reviewing the outcome of an intensive inspection of public transport in Ha Noi.


Typical violations included illegal parking, failure to carry identity badges, business registration papers or driving licences, and operating without a meter.


A large number of the violations were committed by drivers working for Taxi Ha Noi, Mai Linh and Thanh Cong taxi companies.


Taxi drivers have begun to display a better sense of abiding by traffic laws, said Hoang Van Manh, deputy chief of the Ha Noi Department of Transport's Inspectorate.


"There has been a dramatic decrease in incidence of two or three taxis simultaneously driving in a horizontal row to pick up passengers, which is considered a violation."


He said the focus of this investigation was limited to traffic violations; it was unable to address deceitful practices, such as the adjusting of meters to overcharge passengers. He acknowledged that this problem was of great concern to passengers as it directly affected their wallets.


Trinh Van Sy, deputy head of the Ha Noi Traffic Police, said there were still impediments to addressing these infractions because drivers who had been discovered committing offences continued their deceitful practices even after being punished.


The investigation led relevant authorities to consider modifications to existing law to curb violations.


For example, the provision that permitted 18-year-olds to work as taxi drivers could be a problem as young drivers didn't have an adequate sense of following the law and could become dangerously rebellious, said Sy.


Tran Thuy, deputy head of the Ha Noi Police, said the agency planned to submit a proposal to increase the minimum age for taxi drivers to 21-years-old and a minimum of two years of driving experience.


Another measure would suspend approval of new business licences for taxi companies to limit the number of cabs on the street in order to ensure better control.


The traffic police and transport department have established a hotline for passengers to quickly report incidents of violations as they occur.


There are currently 100 registered taxi companies with some 15,000 taxis in Ha Noi.


VietNamNet/Viet Nam News