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TANINTHARYI DIVISION – Residents shared that the restriction on the number of passengers allowed on tricycle taxis leaving Myeik has caused difficulties for travellers.
Starting around two weeks ago, the junta checkpoints would arrest the tricycles carrying more than two passengers. In addition, those tricycles are fined from 30,000 to 50,000 Kyats, reported a tricycle driver.
It is said that the residents have relied on the tricycles because it is cheaper and can carry more people but also because the junta checkpoints don’t spend too long checking the tricycles compared to passenger vehicles.
“It is mainly used by people from rural villages. They visit, bringing the entire family, when a boat enters Myeik to accept items or meet acquaintances. People who get car sick also use tricycles,” explained a Myeik resident.
Travelling from Myeik to Palaw in a passenger van costs around 15,000 Kyats per passenger while hiring a tricycle for the same trip costs around 50,000 Kyats but up to eight passengers would share one tricycle, according to residents.
Tricycle drivers shared that the restriction of two passengers per tricycle is not cost effective for the driver nor the travellers.
After the restriction came into effect, it is said that travellers have been bypassing it by getting off the tricycle just before the checkpoint and passing it on a motorcycle taxi then board the tricycle after passing the checkpoint.
As the junta council has targeted restrictions on tricycles frequently used by civilians in addition to previous restrictions on motorcycles such as banning two men sharing one motorcycle, local residents have been facing difficulties in transportation.