Holiday travel gets priority

The Ministry of Transport has asked the Vietnam Directorate for Roads, Vietnam Railways, Vietnam Airlines Corporation, Vietnam National Shipping Lines and other relevant agencies to step up measures to ensure traffic safety and social order while meeting the travel demands of passengers during the upcoming national holiday.

The Prime Minister has also directed ministries and sectors to encourage the use of public transport instead of private vehicles and step up dissemination about traffic safety on social media for the National Day (September 2) and the new school year (September 5).

Transport companies said they do not expect a significant increase of passengers as employees have just one day off for the National Day.

"The figures may increase on the evening of September 1 and the morning of September 2," said Nguyen Tung Anh, Director of the Hanoi Transport Station Joint Stock Company.

Ticket prices will remain unchanged, he said, adding that the company does not have any plans to increase services for the holiday.

Bus stations are also working with relevant agencies to prepare plans to clamp down on coaches that do not meet standards and try to raise ticket prices.

The number of passengers traveling by train on the holiday is expected to fall sharply compared with last year, according to Vietnam Railways.

Vietnam Railway plans to cut rail fares by two to 15 percent from now until September 5 for Thong Nhat trains SE1, SE2, SE5 and SE6 between Hanoi and HCM City to attract more passengers.

Rail fares of Thong Nhat trains and those running on the North-South line will be reduced by three to 12 percent for the post-summer period this year, according to the Hanoi Railways Transport Company.

National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has launched a special discount programme for one-way tickets between August 20 and December 30 on some domestic routes.

The Hanoi Transport Department is taking steps to repair road facilities while working with the municipal Police Department to inspect the quality of urban traffic infrastructure to ensure traffic safety in preparation for the upcoming parade to mark the 70th National Independence Day on September 2.

"We have plans to control traffic on the main roads leading to Ba Dinh Square and surrounding areas, and we are responsible for the 10,000 people who will be involved in the parade, said Nguyen Hong Linh, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Transport Department.

The department will also increase the number of buses and temporarily clear away parking areas on streets, he said.-VNA