Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Although passenger transport service made better performance, itrecovered only 80% of the 2019 pre-COVID-19 level, the corporation reported.
VNR leaders explained that difficulties in freighttransport were due to the incomplete recovery in railway business andproduction after the pandemic, plus competition pressure from aviation and roadservices.
Rail freight transport is expected to face more obstaclesas sea freight costs have been reduced to their previous rates after a periodof increases, they noted.
Over the past time, the corporation has applied manysolutions to restore business and production after the pandemic, such as maximisingfreight transport service.
VNR General Director Dang Sy Manh said the sector rakedin more than 7.7 trillion VND (326.6 million USD) in 2022, and cut losses by over400 billion VND from the previous year.
It aims to escape losses this year and gain profits inthe next two years, he said, adding that to achieve the target, the sector has putforth a range of plans right in the beginning of this year such as improving infrastructurequality and raising the efficiency of passenger and freight transport.
VNR has proposed the Ministry of Transport upgradeeight railway stations to international ones in order to enhance the freighttransport capacity, Manh said, taking the example of Kep station in the northernprovince of Bac Giang, which has offered international services since February18.
Freight transport service is projected to become a spearhead accountingfor up to 70% of the railway sector’s revenue.
The ministry has included the upgrade of the railwaystations into the 2021-2025 mid-term investment plan.
Besides, the model of railway in combination with tourismattracted more than 4.5 million passengers in 2022, tripling that in theprevious year, which will be stepped up this year./.
VNA
