DUSHANBE, August 9, Asia-Plus — More than 30 drivers of Chinese type minivans, known to the people as Tangem, gathered near the Dushanbe mayor’s office today. They tried to get explanation about the Dushanbe authorities’ banning them from carrying passengers on certain lines in the city.
The drivers told Asia-Plus’ correspondent that it is already the second day that traffic police officers “have unfoundedly impeded their work on some lines.”
“We have all necessary documents for carrying passengers and we do not understand why do they impede our work?” one of the drivers, who introduced himself as Karim Abdulloyev, said. “If there is any official resolution why are they counting to grant licenses on carrying passengers?”
“Nobody has explained us anything,” said Abdulloyev, “Indeed, there were rumors that Tangem minivans will be banned from working, but we believed that municipal authorities will never make such move because people are satisfied with our work.”
Representatives from the Dushanbe transport directorate came out to meet with the demonstrators. Having listened to the drivers, the administration’s staff explained them the heart of the matter and the resolution passed by the mayor on this subject and demonstrators then disbursed.
We will recall that an August 2 meeting of capital mayor’s office made a decision to restrict movement of cars with 5-7 seats (China type minivans Damas, Chanhu, Hafil and others), which are used as fixed-route taxies and not included on the general traffic schedule of Dushanbe.
Shavkat Saidov, a spokesman for Dushanbe mayor, said that those types of minivan do not have the right to move along the Rudaki Avenue as well as the Ayni and Ahmad Donish Streets.
Besides, they are prohibited from moving along the streets of Saadi Sherozi, Nemat Qaraboyev, Ismoili Somoni, Bobojonghafurov, Jabborrasulov and Sino from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the spokesman said.
