Minibus drivers gather in front of Tehran City Council to protest tolls

A group of minibus and van drivers gathered in front of the city council building to protest the requirement to pay entry fees under Tehran's traffic plan.

According to Iranian domestic news agencies, at the rally, which was held on Sunday, July 2nd, drivers protested the city council's resolution and chanted: "Public transportation has no tolls."

Drivers believe that their vehicles are considered public transportation and that since they enter traffic zones (even and odd zones and traffic patterns) to transport passengers, they should not pay tolls for each entry.

These drivers consider paying tolls to be a double burden, citing the threefold increase in spare parts.

Tehran Municipality says that these drivers have been given discounts for entering traffic zones.

The increase in the costs of spare parts, commissions, insurance costs, and other expenses over the past two years has also led to repeated protests by truck and bus drivers.

Source: Voice of America