HÀ NỘI — Forty-eight vehicles, including 6 cars and 42 motorbikes, were fined by Hà Nội police on Wednesday, the first day stricter rules were implemented for the dedicated bus rapid transit (BRT) lanes.

Two vehicles and 46 sets of vehicle documents were seized by officers from the city’s Road and Railway Traffic Police Division (PC67) between 6am and 3pm.

Most of the violators appeared cooperative and apologetic, agreeing to sign the violation records and pay their fines, according to the police.

The fines ranged from VNĐ300,000-400,000 (US$13 - $17) for motorbikes and VNĐ800,000-1.2 million ($35 - $53) for cars.

Lê Văn Hưng, vice captain of traffic police squad No 7, said that the type of vehicle stopped by police varied, from two-wheeled motorbikes and tricycles, to taxis and trucks.

All offenses were carefully explained to violators to ensure understanding and future compliance, he said. Exceptions were made for emergency vehicles, he added.

Three other traffic police squads were deployed to direct traffic and impose fines on vehicles using the wrong lanes on roads with dedicated BRT lanes during off-peak hours (9am-4pm), Hưng said.

Sergeant Nguyễn Vũ Hoàng, who was on duty at the Lê Văn Lương – Tố Hữu intersection, said that most violators were citizens from outside of the city.

“The main reason for their violations was that they were not informed of the BRT-only lane policy,” he told the Tin Tức (News) newspaper. “However, some drivers were aware and ignored the rule.”

Bùi Minh Toàn, a taxi driver who was fined for driving in a BRT lane from Kim Mã Coach Station to Yên Nghĩa Coach Station, said he had to drive in the lane in order to reach his quota despite knowing he was violating regulations.

“With the designation of the BRT lane, the remaining road area is too narrow, making it hard for us [taxi drivers] to quickly pick up fares,” Toàn told the newspaper.

“I hope city authorities will consider only enforcing BRT-only lanes during specific time slots, and not during peak hours,” he said. — VNS