Taxi drivers want enforcement of traffic laws

Monitoring Desk

PUL-I-KHUMRI: Some taxis drivers in Pul-i-Khumri, the capital of northern Baghlan province, have demanded enforcement of traffic laws to prevent the use of illegal transportation and ban of non-custom paid vehicles in the city.

They said the use of private vehicles for transport purpose had badly affected the business of taxies in Pul-i-Khumri.

The taxi drivers added vehicles belonged to the provincial traffic officials most of the time violated traffic laws.

Haroon, a taxi driver, told Pajhwok Afghan News according to the traffic laws taxies should transport passengers but there the case was different as many private and non-paid custom vehicles had been attracting passengers and they taxi drivers had to face financial losses.

Ishaq, another taxi driver, said he experienced over the past five years that some traffic official did not allow taxies to pick passengers while private vehicles had full freedom in the city.

The trend inflicted financial losses to the taxi drivers, he added.

He added, if we pick up some passengers from Pul-i-Khumri square then the city’s traffic charge us 200 afs but they don’t charge the private and non custom paid vehicles if they committed the same action.

Other drivers shared similar concerns.

Qadir, another taxi driver accused traffic official over bribery, saying that some drivers offered money to traffic officials not to bother them and give them the freedom to pick passenger from where they could.

Maj. Mohammad Nabi Nabizada, provincial traffic department head, said in line with the governor, Provincial Council chief and mayor’s recommendations taxies and other vehicles are not allow to pick passengers from on the square.

The capital is a small city without specific area for parking.

Special stops and parking had been constructed outside the city, he said.

He also rejected the taxis drivers’ allegations whether they have given permission to the private vehicles to pick up passengers from every corner of the city they want.