Taxi fares increased due to difficulties in purchasing petrol

Taxi fares in Yangon have increased due to the challenges of buying oil this week, according to the taxi drivers and passengers.
Despite the fluctuating petrol prices in the domestic market between 30 November and 9 December, the process of taking out oil by bowsers from Thilawa fuel tanks took longer than usual, causing fuel shortages in the city petrol stations.
Long lines of cars to buy petrol at filling stations have been waiting from five to nine hours, and there were overnight stays in some places.
Passengers in Yangon have experienced increased taxi fares due to the time-consuming delay in purchasing fuel and the rise in oil prices.
“We were lining up since 10 am, and then we got petrol at 4 pm. Some car drivers experienced oil shortages when they just got to the entrance of the fuel station and kept on waiting,” U Than Chaung, a driver from Thakayta Township, told The Global New Light of Myanmar (GNLM).
In addition to the challenge of queuing for oil, petrol-powered vehicles charge higher fares than before depending on the high price of petrol. Gas-powered taxis also charge the same fare as petrol-powered vehicles, even though they are less problematic than petrol-powered vehicles.
“Previously, there was only a cost of K2,500-K3,000 from Lanmadaw lower block to Sule for taxi fares. But now they take K4,000-K4,500 for that journey,” Ma Khaing Lay, a passenger who always goes to Sule from Lanmadaw for work, told the GNLM.
The journey from downtown Yangon to Aung Mingala Highway Bus Terminal previously cost K20,000, but these days, it costs K25,000.
The relevant authorities are making efforts to ensure that there is no difficulty in fuel consumption in the country. Since the oil tankers have arrived, consumers have been informed not to purchase and collect more fuel than necessary.
Since it is time-consuming to get petrol, taxi drivers are taking higher fares, and travellers in Yangon have to spend more on their travel expenses than before.
“Taking Grab taxis are less costs than other taxis. Some taxi drivers ask for more fares. Grab taxis only cost K6,000 before, but now they only cost K6,200 for the same journey,” Ma Moe, a passenger who always uses Grab taxis for the journey from Royal Asia Hospital to 6th-Mile for work, told the GNLM.
Similarly, Daw Myint Swe, who always comes to Yangon from Mawgyun for medical treatment, said, “Last month, I had to pay K100,000 for fares to undergo medical treatment. On 8 December, I had to pay K120,000 since I had to come again for the due date.” — TWA/TKO