Transport company suspends activities following deadly accident inspection

The company said it stopped offering passenger-carrier service on the HCMC-Da Lat, HCMC-Can Tho, and Da Lat-Can Tho routes starting 5 a.m. Sunday until further notice, though its goods transporting service is still in operation. It will refund customers that had bought tickets for these routes.

As observed by VnExpress reporters, Thanh Buoi's offices in HCMC’s Districts 5 and Binh Thanh were still operating as usual on Sunday morning. However, there was a significant drop in the number of guests dropping by.

Thanh Buoi's transport services office in HCMC’s District 5 on Oct. 29, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Gia Minh

Thanh Buoi, established in 2000, is a major transport service provider in southern Vietnam. It currently has more than 1,300 employees and serves a large part of passengers in HCMC, the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, and the Central Highlands city of Da Lat.

Local authorities launched a major inspection of the company after one of its drivers was involved in a traffic accident last month that killed five people.

Subsequent investigations revealed that the driver had had his driving license revoked before the accident occurred, and Thanh Buoi had many violations in its service operations as well as safety measurements.

Investigators seized documents and raided its host network during an inspection on Oct. 26, the company said.

A representative from Mien Tay Bus Station, a major HCMC-based bus terminal, said the suspension of Thanh Buoi's service would not affect the station's activities greatly, while guaranteeing that passengers still have many other bus choices.

Local authorities also announced that they had implemented various measures to meet passengers' traveling needs.