The worry of "illegal buses and stations"

Carrying many potential risks to traffic safety, causing urban disorder and leading to a series of social consequences, the situation of passenger vans operating in disguise, stopping and picking up and dropping off passengers arbitrarily on key routes in Quang Tri is still openly occurring. This situation is becoming a major challenge for traffic management and safety in the area.

The T.D.T. sleeper bus had not yet pulled over to the side of the road when it slowed down and opened the door wide for passengers to jump on board - Photo: TRAN TUYEN

Stop to pick up and drop off passengers and goods indiscriminately

On National Highway 1, through Dong Ha City, every day from dawn to late afternoon, road users have to face a “matrix” of passenger buses stopping and parking haphazardly, bustling to pick up and drop off passengers and goods.

In just 10 minutes on the afternoon of May 30, we recorded a 16-seat passenger bus L.V., license plate 75B-007.XX passing through Dong Ha City in the South-North direction, suddenly pulling over 4 times to let passengers get on and off quickly, and unloading bulky luggage amidst the busy traffic. A few minutes later, a sleeper bus TQD, license plate 43H-062.XX, while traveling on National Highway 1, the section bordering Dong Ha City with Ai Tu town, Trieu Phong district, did not hesitate to brake suddenly to pick up passengers along the way, ignoring all regulations on stopping points.

On the same afternoon, at the intersection of Le Duan Street (Highway 1) and Dien Bien Phu Street, the LT sleeper bus, license plate 89F-005.XX, leisurely stopped to pick up passengers. Nearby, at the intersection of Le Duan Street and Ly Thuong Kiet Street, another scene recurred: the T.D.T. sleeper bus had not yet pulled over to the side of the road before slowing down, opening its doors wide in the middle of the road for passengers to jump on. A few minutes later, the NT sleeper bus repeated the same behavior, turning this stretch of road into a spontaneous "pirate station", posing many potential risks and causing traffic insecurity.

The above images are just a small slice of the overall picture of the situation of "illegal buses and stations" that is happening every day in Quang Tri province. Through many days of observation and recording the reality along National Highway 1, the section passing through the province, every day there are dozens of bus companies including sleeper buses, 16-seat tourist service buses... stopping to pick up and drop off passengers and goods from morning to night, concentrated mainly in the early morning or late afternoon.

These vehicles, as soon as they see a passenger, suddenly change lanes, stop, and some even pick up and drop off passengers in the middle of the mixed lane, causing chaos and traffic insecurity for other vehicles. This situation not only occurs on national highways but also infiltrates inner-city roads and residential areas, causing public outrage and posing unpredictable dangers.

Unforeseen consequences

Why do “illegal buses and bus stations” still have a place to live and even “make waves” on the roads? “These buses operate but do not enter the station. They meet the needs of passengers, pick them up and drop them off at their destination, so people often use the service. Meanwhile, for buses registered at the station, passengers have to ask their family or hire a car to take them to the station, which is more inconvenient,” a resident in Dong Le ward, Dong Ha city, shared about the reason why they sometimes have to choose “illegal buses” for urgent trips.

Obviously, the convenience of being picked up and dropped off at your door, saving time and travel costs has become an attractive "bait" for many passengers. However, behind that convenience are countless risks and unpredictable consequences that few people can foresee. The fact that "illegal vehicles" suddenly stop and change lanes in the middle of the road to pick up passengers not only obstructs other vehicles but also creates dangerous traffic situations, easily leading to collisions and serious accidents. There have been many accidents caused by the arbitrary stopping and parking of these vehicles.

In addition, "illegal buses and stations" also cause urban disorder. Main roads and central intersections become "gathering points" for picking up and dropping off passengers, causing congestion and chaos, affecting the urban beauty and general traffic flow. Notably, the operation of "illegal buses and stations" also causes loss of state budget and creates an unhealthy and unfair competitive environment for legitimate transport businesses that strictly comply with legal regulations. More seriously, the failure to control the list of passengers and transported goods also poses a potential risk to security and order.

Join hands for safe and civilized traffic

Faced with this painful situation, the authorities have been increasing inspection and handling work. Lieutenant Colonel Le Van Hoa, Deputy Head of the Traffic Police Department, Quang Tri Provincial Police, said: "Through inspection and review, in the province there are 34 vehicles regularly operating on the routes but not entering the station, these are unloaded vehicles, "illegal vehicles" transporting passengers".

Lieutenant Colonel Hoa also added: “In recent times, the Traffic Police Department has regularly increased patrols, controls and strictly handled violations. If violations are detected, we will strictly handle them, forcing vehicles to operate on the correct routes and at the correct parking lots according to the law.”

Obviously, the behavior of "illegal vehicles and bus stations" is a violation of current regulations of the law on road traffic and transportation business. To completely resolve this situation, there needs to be a synchronous and drastic intervention from many sides. First and foremost, the authorities need to strengthen coordination and arrange patrol and control forces. Applying technology such as surveillance cameras at key locations will help record violations objectively and accurately, serving as a basis for cold punishment and increasing deterrence.

At the same time, it is necessary to promote propaganda, raise public awareness, and encourage people to use passenger transport services at bus stations. Along with that, with the cooperation of the people themselves, each passenger needs to raise their awareness and refuse to use illegal transport services for the safety of themselves and the community.

The situation of “illegal buses and stations” is not only a problem of the transport sector but also a common concern of the whole society, directly affecting the safety, order and beauty of the city. Thoroughly solving this problem requires not only determination from the authorities but also consensus, support and sense of responsibility from each citizen. Only then will trips on the main roads of the province be truly safe and civilized.

Tran Tuyen

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/noi-lo-xe-du-ben-coc-194227.htm