Vientiane stresses driver improvement for transport services
Vientiane stresses driver improvement for transport services
Vientiane Public Works and Transport Department is enhancing its efforts to develop drivers' skills and upgrade transport services to integrate with the Asean Economic Community (AEC).
Most Lao drivers are still lacking the skills and understanding of standard driving techniques to be able to take advantages of cross border transport opportunities in the trucking and bus transport industries.
The head of the department's transport management unit, Mr Somsanith Houadthongkham told Vientiane Times last week that there are still large numbers of Lao divers who cannot speak English, which is one of the issues the department will have to solve.
“When Laos transports goods for export from the country to China, Vietnam and Thailand we still hire the companies in those countries to continue the transport to the final destination,” he said.
Only some Lao drivers have the licencing and certification to be able to drive on the roads in neighbouring countries and thereby boost the local transport industry.
“So, it is necessary to improve the Lao driver licencing system to meet with international standards, especially for the drivers of buses and trucks,” said Mr Somsanith.
One more important factor is improving the freight logistics system to allow faster and more convenient transportation of goods and ensure confidence among customers.
However, there are a number of Lao transport companies which have standard vehicles ready to go into service when Laos integrates with the AEC next year, Mr Somsanith said.
Currently, there are many foreign companies interested to invest in the sector but the department has not agreed because the department hopes to preserve opportunities for Lao companies, he noted.
Bus services in Laos now include direct routes to Vietnam, Thailand and China and will soon be connected to Cambodia, with both sides now in the process of concluding an agreement.
Meanwhile the head of the Vientiane State Bus Enterprise, Mr Khampoun Temelath commented that to integrate with the AEC Laos should improve its bus services, especially in terms of providing fast, reliable, safe and comfortable services.
“We are also updating our vehicle fleets to the required standards and attempting to attract more passengers,” he said.
The company already has good buses in service but it aims to upgrade further to meet with international standards, Mr Khampoun added.
Vientiane has currently seen an increase in the number of transport companies offering services, including domestic and foreign operators, but they should provide better services, he noted.
AEC integration by next year will offer both challenges and opportunities for Laos in the transport sector as it increases trade and transportation with other Asean countries.
vientiane times
