Bus ticket prices remain unchanged
Bus ticket prices remain unchanged
Ticket prices on bus services nationwide remain unchanged despite a recent announcement about decreases on various routes between the capital and the provinces.
A couple of weeks ago, an announcement was issued to this effect but a final decision still awaits the outcome of discussions between the government, bus operators and bus users, according to a senior ministry official.
The official spoke to Vientiane Times in response to public transport passengers, who complained about the unchanged prices, which could not take place unless the Transport Department authorised a cut in ticket prices.
Director General of the Transport Department under the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Mr Viengsavath Siphandone, told Vientiane Times last Friday that the recent circulation of the announcement was an important step in seeking solutions to ensure benefits for both transport providers and passengers.
“As a result of that reaction, we [the ministry] will hold an exclusive meeting at the beginning of next year. Members of the public and bus operators in various provinces will be invited to share their opinions,” he said.
He explained that the recent announcement was part of the ministry's plan to protect passengers and the next step is up to the bus operators.
“The problem is that the government has no buses to provide services for the public and all bus terminals and companies are owned by the private sector. This makes it difficult to get them to follow our guidelines,” Mr Viengsavath said.
He said bus operators had their own reasons for not cutting ticket prices. They claim that taxes, the cost of spare parts and bad road conditions are eating into their profits.
“We [the ministry] are doing our best to convince them [bus operators] to consider lowering ticket prices in a bid to encourage the use of public transport and ensure it plays a key factor in poverty eradication, as required by the government.
The recent announcement stated that a ticket on an ordinary bus from Vientiane to Borikhamxay province would be 20,000 kip per person, while the most expensive ticket, for a seat on a VIP 1 bus from Vientiane to Attapeu province, would cost 210,000 kip.
Passengers travelling from Vientiane to the northern provinces are currently charged at a rate of 238 kip per kilometre, while those going to the central and southern provinces are charged at a rate of 164 kip per kilometre.
