Passengers at the Giáp Bát Bus Station in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo Hoàng Hiếu

HÀ NỘI — To ensure traffic safety and meet the public's travel needs during the upcoming Tết (Lunar New Year) festival, the Ministry of Transport has announced the formation of an inspection team.

According to the establishment decision signed by Deputy Minister of Transport Lê Đình Thọ, the team will be responsible for conducting checks at airports, railway stations, ports, and transport enterprises in the provinces of Quảng Ninh, Hải Phòng, Kiên Giang, Điện Biên, Hòa Bình, Sơn La, and Thái Nguyên.

The inspection team will set up a steering committee and assign detailed tasks to each member.

The committee will check infrastructure, vehicles and driver management, provide education on traffic safety, control traffic jams, go on patrol and punish violators.

A hotline will be established to handle any problems over the holiday.

Transport enterprises' ticket prices will also be inspected.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, on December 23 last year, issued Direction No 22 on strengthening measures to ensure a safe and happy Lunar New Year festival.

The direction emphasised that concerned agencies must ensure enough vehicles so that all people can return to their hometowns to enjoy the holiday.

PM Chính asked the Ministry of Transport to coordinate with ministries and localities to closely transport work to serve the people's demands, especially in remote mountainous and island areas.

Inspectors must prevent the illegal transport of explosives, dangerous goods, livestock and poultry with unknown origins and without medical quarantine certificates.

The COVID-19 pandemic and other diseases prevention and control must be conducted based on the Ministry of Health's guidance on means of transport, airports, stations and terminals.

Concerned agencies must effectively control and reduce traffic accidents and traffic jams, especially routes connecting Hà Nội, HCM City and major traffic hubs.

The PM requested transport units to prevent accidents on steep passes and railway crossings and avoid overloaded vehicles and drunken drivers.

They must strengthen rescue in case of accidents and prevent traffic jams at toll stations. — VNS