Ministry of Transport proposed not to fine automobile transport firms for their black boxes being disabled

Dinh La Thang, Minister of Transport made the proposal to the PM on October 25 after Viettel, a major mobile service provider, recently increased its 3G service fees by 40%, paralysing thousands of black boxes of vehicles.

The ministry proposed that the PM request that the Ministry of Public Security direct patrol forces temporarily not to fine owners of these vehicles through November 30 in case that their black boxes are not in operation.

It was also proposed that the PM require relevant ministries and branches to strictly comply with the government’s Resolution 02/2013 on applying measures to help automobile transportation firms deal with their business difficulties and settle bad debts.

Recently, the ministry received a complaint from the Vietnam Automobile Transport Association (VATA), saying that major mobile providers’ recent increase of 3G service fees has halted operations of tens of thousands black boxes.

This situation has put transport firms in a danger of having their business licenses revoked and a series of drivers could be fined VND2.5 million (USD118.3) each along with having their licenses revoked for a month.

The recent and sharp increase in 3G service fees has added burdens to automobile transport firms, VATA said.

VATA, chairman, Nguyen Van Thanh, said, “Under the current regulations, automobiles’ black boxes are equipped with a 3G mobile device that must always be ready to provide information about the vehicle’s schedules upon request and be connected with information centres at the ministry and transport departments nationwide to help foster management.”

Thanh, however, said that since Viettel's increase of 3G service fees, many black boxes have been out of commission.

VATA has also proposed the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Ministry of Finance take measure and that Viettel lower its fees to transport firms.