Inter-provincial passenger coaches on fixed routes have been allowed to resume operations after Da Nang began easing social distancing measures in the midnight on 22 April. However, the municipal Inter-provincial Coach Station is seeing low passenger numbers.

Some eateries and stores in front of the Da Nang Coach Station reopening after the 3-week period of nationwide social-distancing measures

Mr Pham Loi, Deputy General Director of the city-based Transportation and Bus Station Management JSC, said his unit closely checked and required road transport operators to strictly follow the city's restrictions after social distancing measures had been eased. Restrictions remain in place in this transport service, such as carrying half of their designed capacity, disinfecting their coaches after the trip end, and ensuring that all passengers wear face masks and clean their hands before getting on/off vehicles.

Few passengers can be seen at ticketing counters at the inter-provincial coach station

Inter-provincial passenger coaches are required to carry half of their designed capacity

Despite having few passengers, road transport operators still maintain operations in order to gradually recover their business activities

Driver Nguyen Minh Quyen from the Duong Vu road transport operator, said he carried passengers on the fixed route from Da Nang to Ben Cat Town, Binh Duong Province with the frequency of only one daily trip. On Friday, his coach saw only 4 passengers. Most of his passengers went to Binh Dinh and Phu Yen provinces, and no one went straight to the final destination in Binh Duong Province.

Meanwhile, the Hoang Hai transport service provider is offering its passengers a 50% discount on tickets in a bid to support people during the coronavirus pandemic.

By XUAN SON - Translated by MAI DUNG