Illegal parking lots surround the metro station.

Along the urban railway stations in Hanoi, there are dozens of unauthorized parking lots. Although authorities regularly issue fines, the situation returns after a few weeks or months.

Setting up illegal docks to collect money.

According to observations by reporters from Giao Thong Newspaper in recent days, along the Cat Linh - Ha Dong and Nho Son - Hanoi Station metro lines, unauthorized parking lots have reappeared at the stations, with vehicles parked haphazardly under the entrances and exits.

The makeshift parking lot at Van Khe train station in Ha Dong district is used to store a large number of vehicles.

At La Khe train station, an unauthorized parking lot occupies the entire area beneath the station and a portion of the road. This parking area has no posted price list and often charges higher fees than regulated. Posing as a customer needing to park, the reporter was quoted 10,000 VND per daytime parking session and 20,000 VND per nighttime parking session. This location only accepts motorbikes and bicycles.

The operation of unauthorized parking lots along metro stations needs to be controlled and shut down. Dealing with violations and restoring order along the line is not difficult if the authorities are determined enough.

If it's impossible to eliminate them, consideration should be given to strict licensing and management, ensuring adequate fire prevention and firefighting equipment. Because when demand is high, even with penalties, unauthorized parking lots will continue to spring up.

Dr. Nguyen Huu Duc, transportation expert

At stations with few passengers, some people brazenly park their vehicles haphazardly under the bridge, even locking them to the stair railing.

Similarly, the area around Cau Giay station is also being used as an unauthorized parking lot. This is also the station with the most parking lots on the Nhon - Hanoi station metro line.

Acting as a passenger parking their car before boarding the metro, the reporter was not given a ticket by the parking attendant, contrary to the regulations of the Hanoi People's Committee.

This situation also occurs at Chua Ha and Minh Khai stations… At some other locations where there are no unauthorized parking lots, people still park their vehicles haphazardly on the sidewalks, encroaching on pedestrian walkways.

Legal parking lots exist only… on paper.

According to our investigation, since the early days of operating the Cat Linh - Ha Dong metro line, Hanoi Railway Company Limited has distributed thousands of free "Train Guidebooks" to passengers. Each guidebook contains a list of 12 parking locations for passengers, corresponding to 12 stations along the line.

An unauthorized parking area has been set up at La Khê station, on the Cát Linh - Hà Đông line, in Phú La ward, Hà Đông district.

In reality, most of the parking spots suggested in the handbook do not offer parking services, such as the Van Khe gas station (Van Khe station), Van Khe Secondary School, Vietnam Academy of Traditional Medicine (Phung Khoang station), 220 Lang Street (Lang station), etc.

According to train passengers, legal parking lots are quite far from the station, so many are forced to choose unofficial parking areas.

Similarly, although the Nhon - Hanoi Station Metro line has officially come into operation with thousands of passengers every day, finding parking remains a challenge for many people.

Since 2022, the Hanoi People's Committee has assigned relevant units the task of organizing parking areas for metro passengers. However, to date, these parking lots only exist on paper, while illegal parking lots operate openly.

Once the problem is solved, everything goes back to how it was before.

According to our findings, at the time of planning, the Cat Linh - Ha Dong railway line no longer had land available for constructing parking lots; only the Cat Linh station at the beginning of the line and the Yen Nghia station at the end of the line were allocated temporary parking areas.

The insufficient supply to meet demand has led to the proliferation of unauthorized parking lots at train stations, charging exorbitant fees.

Inspectors from the Hanoi Department of Transport, Task Force 197 for handling urban order violations, and local authorities along the routes have issued citations and fined dozens of illegal parking lots. However, after the authorities leave, everything reverts back to how it was before.

Speaking to Giao Thong Newspaper, a representative from the Hanoi Department of Transport's Inspectorate stated that there is no other way than to take continuous action.

"We will continue to direct the local transport inspection team to regularly coordinate with local authorities and police forces to strengthen inspections, promptly resolve violations, and prevent recurrence," this official said, adding that they are requesting districts along the route to coordinate with Hanoi Railway Company Limited to review convenient locations and soon establish parking lots for train passengers.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/ha-noi-bai-xe-tu-phat-bua-vay-ga-metro-192241128231553117.htm