White plate cars brazenly carry passengers and goods
Every day at Ky Lua market area - one of the busiest markets in Lang Son city, "Su coc" vehicles (mainly very old Suzuki Carry Van) from all over the streets gather here to wait for customers. In front of each vehicle is a sign indicating the destination to easily attract customers.
There is no fixed running time, the vehicle can only start when the owner has picked up the desired number of passengers and received enough goods. Most of the vehicles travel along National Highway 1A towards Dong Dang town, Huu Nghi border gate, Tan Thanh border gate, Na Sam town (Van Lang district) and That Khe town (Trang Dinh district).
Others spread out towards National Highway 4B to Cao Loc district and then to Loc Binh district, Chi Ma border gate to pick up and drop off passengers along the way. To learn more about the operation of this type of transport business vehicle, a group of reporters witnessed it on a trip from Lang Son city to Na Sam town (Van Lang district).
For the above mentioned distance, the fare is set at 40,000 VND/passenger on the somewhat old vehicles, which make creaking noises every time they go over bumps, making passengers feel uneasy.
Talking to reporters, a male driver named Hung (over 40 years old) - said: "This "Su coc" car is cheap, it was only over 90 million VND when I bought it, it has been running since 2002, more than 20 years, it is an imported car so it still runs well. Now buying a new car is only over 100 - 200 million VND, it is sold a lot on the internet, I just need to find some information and then contact the seller to discuss".
"Normally I make 6 trips a day, but during the busy Tet season I make 8 round trips," the driver continued.
When the group of reporters questioned the fact that the passenger transport business vehicle still used a white license plate, this driver said innocently: "Before, we were forced to change, but then we didn't. If we register for business transport, we have to change to a yellow license plate. But my car doesn't have to, we can only register it as a family car and then take it out to transport passengers. We parked there (Ky Lua Market - PV) and the order was always on the lookout, but people still parked."
In particular, while recording on the routes where this type of vehicle operates, there was no sign of any authorities. Even on October 25, the reporter recorded the situation where the traffic inspector's vehicle passed by the "Su coc" vehicles that were stopping and picking up passengers at the gate of Ky Lua Market but turned a blind eye.
Why can't it be processed?
Regarding this issue, Mr. Mai Thanh Tuyen - Head of the Department of Transport, Vehicles and Drivers Management (Department of Transport of Lang Son province) - said: "The "Su coc" vehicle has existed for a long time in Lang Son province and operates outside of the bus stations and yards. The situation of illegal buses and stations is a "disease" in many provinces, not just in Lang Son".
Regarding the inspection and handling of the above-mentioned passenger vans disguised as family cars, a representative of the Lang Son Provincial Traffic Inspectorate said that they are currently facing many difficulties in managing this type of vehicle. Based on the circular guiding the inspection work, the Traffic Inspectorate no longer has the authority to stop vehicles for inspection, and can only inspect when the vehicle is "static". In other words, they can only inspect at bus stations and parking lots.
"Currently, the Traffic Inspectorate is still performing coordination tasks, conducting inspections and handling according to its authority" - said a representative of the Traffic Inspectorate of Lang Son province.
Discussing this issue, a representative of the Traffic Police Department - Lang Son Provincial Police - said that currently the number of "Su coc" vehicles has decreased significantly compared to before and confirmed that the above "Su coc" vehicles are not registered for business.
"When traffic police detect speeding violations, they will be handled. As for transport management, no violations will be detected. Furthermore, detecting and handling disguised transport vehicles is extremely difficult. Even if we identify real passenger vehicles, if the passengers and drivers do not cooperate in handling the case, it will be very difficult to identify them" - a representative of the Traffic Police Department of Lang Son province informed.
