The Department of Construction announced on 23/7 the termination of the shuttle service for officials and employees following the administrative merger between Gia Lai and Binh Dinh provinces.

Previously, the local government conducted two trial transport runs with 41 vehicles (totaling over 1,100 seats), serving nearly 950 people. The seat occupancy rate reached approximately 82%. The total cost of nearly 240 million VND was sponsored by transport companies and a driver training center.

However, the operation encountered several problems, such as: inaccurate registrations and last-minute changes in the number of participants, causing difficulties in organizing and coordinating transport.

A vehicle transporting officials from Gia Lai to Quy Nhon (formerly Binh Dinh). Photo: Ngoc Oanh

Instead of organized transport, the province will switch to a flexible financial support model, allowing officials to choose their means of transport, such as fixed-route buses, chartered vehicles, or personal vehicles.

On 22/7, the Gia Lai People's Council approved a resolution to provide travel support for officials affected by the administrative merger. The change in the support method aims to avoid waste and increase flexibility and autonomy in travel arrangements.

To ensure uninterrupted travel, the Department of Construction has directed transport companies to increase the number of vehicles and publish their contact information. From August 2025, two major transport companies are expected to operate the Pleiku - Quy Nhon route.

According to the Department of Home Affairs, after the merger, nearly 2,000 officials and employees from Gia Lai province will work at the new provincial administrative center located in Quy Nhon (formerly Binh Dinh province).

Tran Hoa