This morning, September 17, Phu Huu BOT station, Thu Duc City started collecting fees for vehicles entering and leaving Phu Huu port. The fee ranges from 14,000 to 110,000 VND/trip, with the aim of recovering capital for the project to build a road connecting Nguyen Duy Trinh to Phu Huu Industrial Park.
However, many households living around the Phu Huu BOT station were upset and said that the toll collection at the BOT station was unreasonable. Because they had already paid the full road fee, now they had to pay an additional fee to travel only about 1km.
"All cars, big or small, are collected. Container trucks are charged 110,000 VND for one trip, and 220,000 VND for both entry and exit," Mr. N.V.L. said indignantly.
Ms. Le My, a resident of Quarter 6, Phu Huu Ward, Thu Duc City, said that although households here have cars with less than 12 seats and do not do transportation business and are exempt from the fee according to regulations, they are still charged a fee of VND14,000 when passing through the BOT station.
"Not to mention there are households whose houses are about 50m from the BOT gate but are still charged a fee when passing through the station. It's really unreasonable," Ms. My was indignant.
This woman also said that the wish of all residents in the neighborhood is to have all types of vehicles free of charge when entering and exiting the Phu Huu BOT station. “We have also sent a petition to the authorities to be able to quickly resolve this matter,” said Ms. My.
In a quick exchange with Lao Dong, a representative of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport said that regarding people's reactions to the Phu Huu BOT toll collection, the unit has grasped the situation and assigned the Road Traffic Infrastructure Management Center to monitor the situation throughout today to report back to the unit.
At the same time, the Department also assigned the Road Traffic Infrastructure Management Center to re-survey on the first day of toll collection. Any content that is not in accordance with the contract and any content that is still lacking in the process, the Department will report to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee for appropriate adjustments.
The investor said that the exemption cases include: vehicles specified in Decision 705 of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, vehicles with less than 12 seats not used for business by households with permanent or temporary residence for more than 6 months on Nguyen Thi Tu and Dang Thanh Hieu streets.
According to the decision of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, after one year of operation, the investor is responsible for checking and updating actual vehicle data, comparing the approved price plan, and proposing to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee to consider adjusting the appropriate price. This is to ensure the interests of the people, investors and the feasibility of capital recovery for the entire project.
The HCMC People's Committee assigned the investor to preside over and coordinate with Thu Duc City Police and related units to ensure absolute safety and security during toll collection. At the same time, proactively coordinate with localities to confirm cases of exemption and reduction in a timely and correct manner according to regulations.
By noon on September 17, traffic conditions in the Phu Huu BOT area (Thu Duc City) had gradually stabilized. Many authorities were present to ensure order and traffic flow.
