Sai Gon Railway Station denies ticket speculation

      A top railway executive has rejected local media allegations that her company was involved in ticket speculation, causing a shortage of rail tickets on the market.
Nguyen Thi Thanh Phuong, director of Sai Gon Railway Station, said on Friday that no cases of ticket speculation had been discovered at any of the station's registered train ticket agencies.
Sai Gon Railway Station had only contracted with 16 agencies since May 2008 after careful consideration and background checks, added Phuong. These agencies are subject to tight control and monitoring by station authorities.
Phuong added that there were ample seats available on Sai Gon Railway Station trains and that passengers were able to buy their tickets at anytime.
However, she cautioned that this was not peak train travel season.
Plans have been prepared for peak seasons, such as the Tet holidays, in which the station will put a limit on the number of tickets sold to agencies, according to the director. This should reduce ticket speculation so that travellers can get their hands on tickets.
Other alternatives to prevent ticket speculation are being mapped out by the Sai Gon Railway Station.
"Any violations discovered by registered ticket agencies at the Sai Gon Railway Station will result in strong measures against them, and ultimate termination of any contractual agreement," said Phuong.
Ha Noi Railway Station has suspended the operation of TSC agency, one of its 11 ticket agencies, after discovering that the agency violated its contractual agreement by charging customers additional service fees.
Phung Thi Ly Ha, Deputy Director of Ha Noi Railway Station, said the station was conducting an investigation of TSC agency before delivering a final decision.