VietNamNet Bridge – The Directorate for Roads of Vietnam has asked investors of road projects under Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) contracts to ban cars from parking for over five minutes at toll stations.

Drivers protest for high fees at Soc Trang Toll Station early this month. — VNA/VNS Photo Trung Hieu

Road signs with white letters saying “No Parking over 5 minutes” on a red background will be placed some 50m before toll collection cabins at toll stations and be effective for some 100-200m depending on different toll stations.

The ban signs are expected to help ensure smooth traffic via BOT toll stations, especially during the biggest festival in Vietnam, the Tet holiday.

In the last few months, drivers reportedly protested at BOT toll stations because of high or unreasonable toll fees. The drivers drive slowly, park for long at toll stations or pay in small notes, causing traffic blocks at many BOT roads.

At present, there are 88 BOT toll stations on National Highways in Vietnam, of which, 73 stations are overseen by the Transport Ministry, while the remaining 15 stations are overseen by provinces’ People’s Committees. 

Source: VNS