A toll collection station on Hà Nội-Hải Phòng Expressway. VNA/VNS Photo Việt Hùng

HÀ NỘI – The automatic non-stop toll collection (ETC) on the Hà Nội - Hải Phòng Expressway will be delayed by one month, according to the Directorate for Roads of Việt Nam (DRVN).

Specifically, the express ETC will start at the beginning of June instead of May 5.

The DRVN vice director Nguyễn Mạnh Thắng said the reason for the delay was that the 31st SEA Games would be held in Việt Nam from May 5 to 23, so traffic order and safety during the Games were the key priority.

The DRVN has organised and coordinated with the road management unit - the Việt Nam Infrastructure Development and Financial Investment Corporation (VIDIFI), to review and inspect the ​​toll stations on the route.

The DRVN has also guided VIDIFI to select a consulting unit to set up a traffic organisation plan file for the pilot ETC and submit it to the DRVN for consideration and use as a basis for mass implementation.

“The ETC implementation will be announced on mass media at least three months in advance as per regulations,” Thắng said.

“The directorate will strengthen coordination with toll collection service providers in communication work and issuing manuals for vehicle owners on ETC to increase the rate of tag stamping and use service to prepare for the pilot phase."

The directorate has also requested the Department of Traffic Police to cooperate with relevant offices to review the sign system, and traffic organisation plans to ensure traffic order and safety as well as handle violations of vehicles not eligible for non-stop lanes, according to Government Decree 100/ND-CP.

According to the DRVN, currently, the percentage of vehicles with ETC tags has reached 65 per cent, an increase of about 10 per cent compared to the previous survey. – VNS