Minibus Drivers Gather in Protest Against Traffic Scheme Fees in Front of Tehran City Council

A group of minibus and van drivers gathered in front of the Tehran City Council building to protest the mandatory payment of entry fees for Tehran’s traffic management scheme.

According to Iranian domestic news agencies, at this gathering held on Sunday, the second day of Tir, drivers chanted in protest of the city council’s resolution: “Public transportation should not have fees.”

The drivers believe that their vehicles are considered public transportation and since they enter traffic-restricted areas (odd-even zones and traffic management zones) to transport passengers, they should not have to pay fees for each entry.

These drivers, pointing to a threefold increase in spare parts costs, view the fee payment as double pressure.

The Tehran Municipality says it has provided discounts to these drivers for entering traffic-restricted areas.

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

Source: Voice of America