A new measure supposed to regulate
tourist coaches is already falling into disarray. According to a joint circular
by the culture, sport and tourism, and transport ministries issued on March 12,
tourist coaches are required to carry special badges in an attempt to keep the
coaches on a fixed route and schedule.

Deputy
Director of the Ha Noi Department of Transport Nguyen Hoang Linh said although
agencies have been aware of the situation, they have failed to control
noncompliant coaches.

“It was
hard to track the activities of such coaches due to their high mobility. They
changed their schedules and routes frequently due to the requirements of tourist
contracts,” he said.

Despite
attempts to combat the problem, Nguyen Manh Cuong, head of the Road Traffic
Inspectorate Unit, said new violations have emerged. Unlicensed coach drivers,
occasionally hired temporarily by tour operators, have continued to use their
badges to sell tickets after the contracts expire.

By
disguising as tourist coaches, unlicensed drivers avoid paying parking fees.

Vietnam
News Agency correspondents have observed that when buses stop at fake bus
stations, including those in front of No 340-342 Tran Khat Chan Street, Vo Thi
Sau Street and Tran Dai Nghia Street, they cause traffic jams.

At least
80 tourist coaches, each with a maximum of 24 seats, collect passengers at the
stations on Yen Phu, Cua Dong and Nguyen Truong To streets every 30 minutes.

VietNamNet/Viet
Nam News