Tightening controls over taxi operations in the capital is vital to stopping the massive boom that has caused traffic and service problems across the city, according to the Hanoi Department of Transport deputy director, Nguyen Hoang Linh.
Linh made the comment over the taxi businesses’ opposition to the department’s proposal that no new licences would be granted until after March.
“Currently, there are more than 12,000 taxis running in the capital’snine inner districts. This means that about 20 taxis operate in each square kilometre, on average,” Linh said.
Nearly 300 taxis are estimated to start operating each month, not to mention the replacement of 4,000 old cars last year alone.
Linh said that 80 percent of the 14,000 taxi drivers in Hanoi are from surrounding provinces. Due to a shortage of drivers, many businesses hire under-age drivers or drivers without licences.
Thus, violations such as scrambling for clients, speeding, parking cars in prohibited areas or wearing well-known taxi firms’ uniforms to cheat passengers have become commonplace. Statistics from the department show that more than 5,000 violations were found last year. Nearly 260 taxis were seized and fines were up to 1.1 billion VND (57,800 USD).
“New regulations will require taxi companies to meet compulsory trade conditions, such as owning a certain number of cars and improving the quality of cars once they are approved,” Linh said.
He said that the department would try to keep the proposal not to increase the number of taxis./.
Linh made the comment over the taxi businesses’ opposition to the department’s proposal that no new licences would be granted until after March.
“Currently, there are more than 12,000 taxis running in the capital’snine inner districts. This means that about 20 taxis operate in each square kilometre, on average,” Linh said.
Nearly 300 taxis are estimated to start operating each month, not to mention the replacement of 4,000 old cars last year alone.
Linh said that 80 percent of the 14,000 taxi drivers in Hanoi are from surrounding provinces. Due to a shortage of drivers, many businesses hire under-age drivers or drivers without licences.
Thus, violations such as scrambling for clients, speeding, parking cars in prohibited areas or wearing well-known taxi firms’ uniforms to cheat passengers have become commonplace. Statistics from the department show that more than 5,000 violations were found last year. Nearly 260 taxis were seized and fines were up to 1.1 billion VND (57,800 USD).
“New regulations will require taxi companies to meet compulsory trade conditions, such as owning a certain number of cars and improving the quality of cars once they are approved,” Linh said.
He said that the department would try to keep the proposal not to increase the number of taxis./.
