The Directorate for Roads of Vietnam has suggested the Ministry of Transport suspend toll collection at build-operate-transfer (BOT) toll booths all over the country from February 4 to 6 on the occasion of the upcoming Lunar New Year, or Tet holiday.

Cars and trucks travel through a toll booth on the Phap Van-Cau Gie Expressway in the southern part of Hanoi City

The directorate said in an official letter that some investors of BOT transport infrastructure projects had sought the approval from the agency and the ministry to suspend the collection of toll fees during some days in Tet.

The number of vehicles passing through toll booths in the three days is likely to be low, so the suspension of toll collection will not significantly affect the financial plans of BOT projects, said the directorate’s deputy head, Nguyen Xuan Cuong.

He added the suspension will create favorable conditions for residents to welcome the new year with a joyful spirit because of smooth traffic, as well as allow toll collection employees off work to enjoy the Tet holiday with their families.

Earlier, the ministry rejected some similar proposals of BOT transport infrastructure investors, due to the fear that the suspension could adversely affect their financial plans.

SGT