On September 16, a Facebook group in Thai Binh province posted and spread information that the Sa Cao ferry on the Red River connecting Thai Binh and Nam Dinh provinces had been charging unusually high fares, "ripping off" motorbike passengers being transported across the river by ferry.
After appearing, the information received much attention and attracted many comments from social network users. The majority said that after the flood, Sa Cao ferry charged many times higher than usual fares, which was unacceptable and a snatch-and-grab business...
The incident started with a post in a Facebook group that said: "During the storm and flood season. There are so many scams and prices are skyrocketing... to the Sa Cao ferry price, which is usually 5k (5,000 VND) for motorbikes. Today it's 30k (30,000 VND) - in the afternoon the water price went up to 50k (50,000 VND), you guys are making a lot of money."
It is known that Sa Cao ferry crosses the Red River, connecting Vu Van commune (Vu Thu district, Thai Binh province) with Xuan Chau commune (Xuan Truong district, Nam Dinh province). The ferry is managed and operated by Nam Dinh Bridge and Road Construction and Management Joint Stock Company (under the Nam Dinh Department of Transport). Since September 11, when the flood water on the Red River rose above the warning level, the authorities have ordered the temporary suspension of ferry operations until safety is ensured.
In response to information on social media about Sa Cao ferry charging many times higher fares and showing signs of "ripping off" passengers after resuming operations after the floods, on September 17, in response to Lao Dong reporter, Mr. Nguyen Van Vuong - Director of Nam Dinh Bridge and Road Construction and Management Joint Stock Company (the unit directly managing and operating Sa Cao ferry terminal) denied these contents.
"In fact, until this afternoon (September 17 - PV), the leaders of the Nam Dinh Department of Transport have just agreed to let the Sa Cao ferry officially resume operations after the recent floods. So it is absolutely impossible that on September 15-16 the ferry was traveling across the Red River and still charged high fares as reported on social networks. Up to now, the ferry has collected fares for vehicles and passengers crossing the river according to the listed prices and regulations of Nam Dinh province. When passengers request, the ferry staff will issue tickets, and all the remaining tickets are saved on the electronic system, so the ferry staff does not have to collect whatever they want, even on normal days or during floods. It is possible that passengers were confused with the ferry terminal or the passenger terminal across the river near the Sa Cao ferry, but up to now, there has never been a case of the company's staff arbitrarily collecting fares against regulations," Mr. Vuong affirmed.
Mr. Vuong added that after evaluating and analyzing the technique, based on the water level on the Red River and the flow and speed of the river, Nam Dinh Bridge and Road Construction and Management Joint Stock Company submitted a proposal to the leaders of Nam Dinh Department of Transport to allow Sa Cao ferry to officially resume operations from noon today.
The leaders of Nam Dinh Department of Transport have approved and requested the company to direct staff and ferry operators to ensure safety and serve the travel and trade needs of the people. In case the river water rises due to high tides or heavy rains or floods, ferry operations must be immediately suspended to ensure the safety of people and vehicles.
After discussing with the leader of Nam Dinh Bridge and Road Construction and Management Joint Stock Company, Lao Dong reporter discussed and clarified the information of the incident with the Facebook account that posted the controversial incident. This person admitted that due to not researching carefully, he confused Sa Cao ferry with Do Cat ferry in the same area of Vu Van commune (Vu Thu district, Thai Binh province).
The poster then apologized and edited the content of the post to be true and factual to avoid causing misunderstandings and affecting the reputation of Sa Cao ferry terminal as well as the officers and employees of Nam Dinh Bridge and Road Management and Construction Joint Stock Company.
It is known that Do Cat is a passenger wharf across the Red River contracted by a private unit, contracted by the local authorities. Ferry prices may change depending on the needs and actual travel of the people and agreed upon by both parties.
