Ho Chi Minh City traffic police crack down on violations by passenger buses

Following directives from the Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Police Division and the Traffic Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security, officers have been deployed to patrol major routes and enforce compliance among transport operators.

At 10:20 pm on Saturday, officers stopped a sleeper bus operated by Tan Quang Dung transport service provider on Ly Thuong Kiet Street in Dien Hong Ward for a check.

The vehicle, registered to ply the Ho Chi Minh City-Lam Dong Province route, was found deviating from its approved itinerary.

Instead of traveling from the new Mien Dong (Eastern) Bus Station to the Da Lat Interprovincial Bus Station as scheduled, the driver, N.Q.D., a 45-year-old resident of Dak Lak Province, was caught entering downtown Ho Chi Minh City to pick up passengers.

The driver was booked for his violations and faced a fine of VND600,000-800,000 (US$23-30.6), along with a deduction of two points from his driver's license.

Besides, the vehicle owner was also fined VND10-12 million ($382-460) for failing to adhere to the registered route information.

The bus had its route license suspended for two months.

Earlier that day, at 2:15 pm, officers conducted inspections on Mai Chi Tho Avenue in An Khanh Ward, stopping a sleeper bus operated by Tam Hanh Travel.

The bus also plies the Ho Chi Minh City-Lam Dong Province route.

The driver, identified as D.D., 34, from An Giang Province, was similarly found traveling outside the designated travel itinerary.

The crackdown is part of a broader enforcement campaign that includes checking for violations such as unauthorized passenger pick-up and drop-off, use of mobile phones while driving, failure to wear seat belts, and other safety infractions.

An officer said that the campaign runs until August 25, covering both road and waterway transportation.

Other key offenses are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speeding, overloading cargo, carrying passengers beyond legal capacity, and stopping or parking in prohibited areas.