(KPL) On July 2, 2025, the Laos-China Railway Company (LCRC) announced plans to reduce vehicle service fees at railway stations for large vehicles, lowering the charge from 10,000 kip to 5,000 kip per vehicle. The decision aims to address public concerns and ensure fairness in station service charges.

The announcement was made by Mr. Anongdeth Phethkaysone, Deputy Director General of LCRC, who spoke to the media about several operational issues that have recently drawn public attention—chief among them, the vehicle entry and exit fees at LCRC stations.

According to the company, the collection of service fees is necessary to support station operations, including administrative costs, service management, traffic control, and other logistical needs. However, the fee structure has been under scrutiny from users and the general public.

To resolve this, LCRC has decided to reduce the standard service fee by 50%, with the new rate of 5,000 kip per vehicle to be enforced in the near future. The fee adjustment will be implemented alongside new measures to regulate vehicle entry and exit times, overseen by the designated service unit.

In addition, the company revealed plans to upgrade parking areas to better accommodate vehicles and reduce congestion. As part of a broader modernization effort, LCRC will also explore the introduction of automatic barrier systems to replace manual checks. These systems aim to improve efficiency, convenience, and transparency, and are expected to be piloted soon—starting at selected stations in Vientiane Capital.

KPL