Can Tho city and Hau Giang province will review and draw the list of those subject toll reduction and exemption at Can Tho-Phung Hiep BOT toll station, sending the list to the Ministry of Transport to tackle traffic jam in the area before January 20.

Many drivers have stopped their vehicles at Can Tho-Phung Hiep BOT toll gate and refused to buy tickets to oppose toll levels for the last few days (Photo: SGGP)

That was announced at a meeting yesterday when the Ministry of Transport worked with the Mekong Delta city and province to seek ways to solve the tension at the toll booth, where drivers have stopped their vehicles causing long lasting traffic jam in National Highway 1A to oppose toll levels for the last few days.

The congestion has seriously affected travel of residents and cargo transport of export businesses in the area.

At the meeting, deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Nhat said that Can Tho and Hau Giang should carefully consider toll reduction and exemption to ensure that procedures will be conducted sufficiently and to harmonize benefits between road users and investors as well as toll collection time.

He noted that authorized agencies should assign personnel to keep watch over the station area to ensure security and order and prevent malefactors from taking advantage of the situation to distort the Party’s policies and the State’s law.

From now until January 20, the station must open the gate for vehicles to travel free of charge if traffic congestion occurs.

After working together, the ministry, Can Tho and Hau Giang have agreed with toll cut and exemption policies according to the city’s proposal.

Specifically, those not involved in business will be exempt from paying the fee if  their vehicles are registered in Ba Lang ward, Cai Rang district, Can Tho city and Tan Phu Thanh commune, Cai Tac town in Chau Thanh A district, Hau Giang province.

Automobiles of ten seater and more and trucks of more than one ton will see 50 percent cut in these areas.

Households and businesses having fixed transport contracts for over three months and travelling a distance of less than five kilometers from the station will be considered to enjoy the policies.

A representative of Can Tho-Phung Hiep BOT station investor admitted their limitations in tackling traffic jam in the area for the last few days, committed to preventing it from recurring and seriously following requirements by local and central government.

According to the Department of Transport in Can Tho city, Can Tho-Phung Hiep BOT station has many time shut down to solve traffic jam caused for the last few days.

Some drivers have even required the station to let them travel through the station free of charge and argued toll collection staff on January 8.

Chairman of Can Tho city People’s Committee Vo Thanh Thong together with leaders of agencies has recently organized a meeting to talk to businesses headquartered near the toll booth to solve their proposals and require them to abide by the law.

Director of Can Tho city Transport Department Lu Thanh Dong said that although there are no official statistics, most vehicles stopping at the tollgate wear Hau Giang province number plates.

SGGP