Bus fares soar during Tet

Transportation companies in Hanoi have raised tickets by 60% during Tet.

Transportation companies in Hanoi have raised tickets by 60% during Tet.

   

Bus fares soar during Tet

In the past two days, price from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa has been raised from VND100,000 to as much as VND170,000 (USD7.33). Most ticket prices have gone up by 50-60%.

Trinh Huy Hieu, the representative of Quang Trung Transportation Company, said in order to meet demand and avoid overcrowding, the number of Hanoi-Thanh Hoa bus trips had been increased from 16 to 26. Ticket prices had been increased to offset the cost when buses return to the city empty.

According to Hanoi Bus JSC, as of January 28, about 20 firms with inter-province routes had registered higher ticket fees. 18 firms operate at Giap Bat Bus Station and two at Gia Lam Bus Station. Nguyen Tat Thanh, director of Giap Bat Bus Station also said firms actually didn't want to increase ticket fees as they might lose customers. However, the return trips are often empty and they still need to pay for that.

Firms are only allowed to increase fares for a total 20 days before and after Tet.

On January 29, Hanoi Department of Transport has asked firms to publicly list their ticket prices. Bus stations were asked to have measures to ensure security and local authorities must monitor the situation closely to prevent firms from overcharge passengers.

Taxi firms in Hanoi were also asked to publicise fares and follow procedures.

Department of Transport will work with the Department of Finance and locality authorities to inspect the transportation firms.