Mawlamyine, 25 August
Taxi drivers in Mon State told Than Lwin Times that the skyrocketing fuel prices and huge decline in customers are making it increasingly difficult for them to make ends meet.
Taxi drivers are finding it difficult to survive due to the almost four-fold increase in fuel prices and the lack of passengers during the two and a half years since the military coup.
Gasoline 95 Octane costs more than 2,450 kyat per liter, while 92 gasoline is priced at more than 2,300 kyat per liter.
A taxi driver stated that, despite the high cost of fuel, it was impossible for him to collect a large amount of fees from passengers, making it difficult for him to keep running. Another taxi driver told the Than Lwin Times that if fuel prices rise again, he will cease operating.
Due to the high cost of fuel, some taxi drivers have given up driving taxis, and others are shifting to other businesses.
On the other hand, the military council is forcing mini Oway three-wheeled taxis to change their license plates from black to red for commercial use, and if they don’t comply, the taxi drivers say they are being fined during the inspection.
It costs at least 300,000 to 400,000 Kyats to obtain a red license plate for commercial purposes. Currently, it is becoming more difficult for taxi drivers due to the rising cost of fuel and the food crisis.
Taxi drivers were frequently robbed and beaten to death due to a lack of rule of law and insecurity in the country since the military coup.
News- Than Lwin News
Photographer: CJ
Thanlwintimes