The Protest Gathering at the Phu Huu BOT Station: Proposal to Expand the Scope of Fee Exemption

Ha Tien Cement Joint Stock Company (investor) has just sent a report to Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee and the City Department of Transport proposing to remove difficulties in the operation of Phu Huu BOT Station, Thu Duc City.

According to a report from the Phu Huu BOT Road Management Enterprise (a unit under the investor) in the first seven days of toll collection, there were 34,386 vehicle trips through the Phu Huu BOT Station.

The investor said that in the early stages of toll collection, local residents in the station area were upset and strongly opposed to the toll collection, demanding an immediate waiver of fees for all vehicles entering and exiting the residential area to serve the daily essential needs of the people. As this is the existing and only road to and from the residential area; if not, there must be another road for people to travel.

Enterprises with headquarters in the station area also want to be exempt from car toll fees for their units and employees who have to enter and exit the station because, besides the Phu Huu BOT road, these employees have no other way to travel to work every day.

There are still cases of container trucks, cargo trucks, and tractor-trailers… parking illegally, blocking traffic and causing inconvenience to the people’s lives, travel, and traffic safety.

Arising from the legitimate needs and aspirations of the people and enterprises with headquarters in the station area, and to ensure smooth toll collection at Phu Huu BOT Station, ensuring security, order, and traffic safety in the area, Ha Tien Cement Joint Stock Company proposes that the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee and the Department of Transport consider expanding the subjects.

All means of transport of the people, including technology cars, services, and means of transport entering and leaving the residential area to serve the daily essential needs of the people in the station area from 0:00 on September 25.

Vehicles of enterprises and employees who have headquarters on Nguyen Thi Tu and Dang Thanh Hieu streets must enter and exit the station to travel and work daily.

“According to statistics from the first seven days of toll collection at Phu Huu BOT Station, the above extension of the subjects of toll exemption reduces the station’s toll revenue by less than 5%, which does not significantly affect the station’s capital recovery plan but wins the people’s hearts and ensures the station’s smooth, convenient, orderly, and safe operation, ensuring political security, social order, and safety in the area.” – The project investor evaluated.

In addition, the investor proposed that the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee and the Department of Transport direct functional agencies to strengthen the inspection and handling of vehicles that stop and park illegally and continue to support the Phu Huu BOT Road Management Enterprise to ensure security and order and traffic safety at Phu Huu Toll Station.

The project investor commits to continue doing a good job of road maintenance, environmental sanitation, traffic safety assurance, and implementing toll collection in accordance with the contract and the requirements of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee.