Transport businesses face the problem of "supply exceeding demand"

After the merger of the provinces, transport businesses have proactively opened routes and increased the number of vehicles to meet the travel needs of people, especially officials and civil servants from the Eastern region to the Western region of the province to work. However, the operation of this route is still quite difficult because of the phenomenon of "supply exceeding demand".

According to the Department of Construction, after implementing the policy of merging the provinces, about 1,000 officials and civil servants have to travel regularly on the route from the administrative center of the Eastern region to the Western region to work. To meet the travel needs of the people, some transport businesses have boldly invested in vehicles, registered to operate fixed routes from communes and wards in the Eastern region to the Western region and vice versa.

Mr. Mai Van Giang, Director of the Transport Enterprise of Dak Lak Interprovincial Bus Station Management Joint Stock Company (Transport Enterprise) said: “Previously, we were the only unit operating the Tuy Hoa - Buon Ma Thuot route, with 2 trips/day, including 2 fixed routes from Dak Lak Interprovincial Bus Station to Phu Yen Interprovincial Bus Station, Song Cau Bus Station and vice versa. From the beginning of July 2025, the unit increased to 3 trips/day; including 3 41-seat sleeper buses and 1 12-seat passenger bus”.

Vehicles registered to operate at Dak Lak Interprovincial Bus Station.

Similarly, Hong Son Transport Company Limited has also put into operation 4 buses on the Buon Ma Thuot - Tuy Hoa route with flexible time slots at 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm (departing from Buon Ma Thuot) and 7:30 am and 12:10 pm (departing from Tuy Hoa). Meanwhile, Yen Phu Tourist Transport Cooperative has also put into operation 8 41-seat buses to serve the Buon Ma Thuot - Tuy Hoa route and vice versa, and at the same time expanded the Buon Ma Thuot - La Hai route and vice versa.

According to statistics, there are currently 6 transport business units operating fixed transport routes from the Eastern bus stations to the Western bus stations of the province and vice versa, with 30 trips/day. In addition, on the route there are also a number of businesses and bus companies operating under contracts, meeting the travel needs of the people, including the staff, civil servants, public employees, and workers of agencies and units after the merger.

It is essential for transport companies to increase trips and open new routes to serve the travel needs of the people. However, the problem is how to ensure that “supply does not exceed demand” and avoid losses.

According to transport businesses, after nearly two months of operation, the operation of the Tuy Hoa - Buon Ma Thuot transport route is facing some difficulties due to the phenomenon of "supply exceeding demand".

Mr. Mai Van Giang, Director of the Transport Enterprise, said that after a period of operation, the average passenger rate was only about 50 - 60%. Even at times when the vehicle had no passengers, the enterprise still had to turn back during the day according to the registered route. The situation of "lost drivers" has caused many vehicle owners to face difficulties, and some members even asked not to operate this route.

Transport businesses have increased their vehicles operating on the Tuy Hoa - Buon Ma Thuot route to meet people's travel needs after the province's merger.

Also facing a similar situation, Mr. Pham Tho Truong, Chairman of the Board of Directors of BB Group Joint Stock Company, expressed: “From the beginning of July 2025, BB Bus Company has put into operation 10 high-quality limousines, with a fixed frequency of 12 trips/day. Particularly on two peak days, the company has adjusted to add more vehicles to operate 8 additional trips. However, in reality, we are facing many difficulties because the number of passengers on off-peak days is very low. Therefore, BB Bus Company does not register for a fixed route but switches to running contracts according to the needs of individual customers. At the same time, the company also promotes the exploitation of tourist transportation segments, running contract vehicles for each group of customers to compensate for losses on the Tuy Hoa - Buon Ma Thuot route."

According to Deputy Director of the Department of Construction Le Dinh Minh, through a survey of 6 transport businesses operating the transport route from the Eastern region bus stations to the Western region bus stations of the province and vice versa, the passenger occupancy rate is only about 50% on weekdays and about 70% on weekends and there is no congestion. To facilitate transport businesses to operate effectively on the route, the Department has announced the route schedule, bus running time and ticket booking phone numbers of the bus companies so that people can access and contact them when they need to travel.

Youth - Hoang Tuyet

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/kinh-te/202508/doanh-nghiep-van-tai-doi-mat-bai-toan-cung-vuot-cau-bf40e79/