QUẢNG NINH – Self-modified three-wheel vehicles will be strictly controlled before being completely banned in 2018, said Vũ Văn Diện, deputy chairman of northern Quảng Ninh Province’s People Committee.

He made the announcement at a meeting on traffic order and safety held last weekend in Quảng Ninh.

Self-modified three-wheel vehicles have been operated in the province for over 10 years.  

These vehicles are considered as a popular means of transportation for tourists on the islands of Quan Lạn, Minh Châu and Ngọc Vừng.

It has recently been used to transport visitors from hotels and guest houses to the beach at Bãi Cháy Resort in Hạ Long City.

However, most drivers of these vehicles lack licences and do not register their vehicles.

These vehicle owners have regularly flouted the law, and it affects the safety and order of transport in the city, making it a matter for public concern.

Lưu Minh Đức, chairman of People’s Committee of Quan Lạn Commune, home to 150 three-wheel vehicles, said since the beginning of this year local authorities have coordinated with the police force to number the vehicles for better management.

Local residents have also been informed about roadmap to stop the operation of these kinds of vehicles by 2018 so that they can have alternatives vehicles like electric vehicles or change their occupations.

At present, electric four-wheel vehicles have been used as alternative vehicles for three-wheel vehicles at such island commune like Cô Tô. However, regulations on the management of the vehicles have not yet finalised.

Diện asked the provincial Department of Transport to set forth a pilot programme for businesses engaged in the operation of four-wheel vehicles and offered strict punishment to violated vehicles. — VNS