Taxis boycott bridge tolls

Taxis traversing back and forth between Jegao and Ruili on the Sino-Burma border have ceased their services since September 12, in a show of defiance against the bridge tolls, causing difficulties for travelers, reported by Network Media Group yesterday.

The new bridge that stands parallel to the old one was opened on 9 September.

"Taxis which charge 3 yuan per passenger stopped their services saying the bridge toll is too high," said a local resident.

The toll for a taxi is 5 yuan each way and 50 each day. For a motorcycle, it is 2 yuan, and for a cargo-truck, it depends on the weight of the cargo.

Most taxis are rented from companies and the payment for a taxi per month is 1,500 yuan. Because of the recent economic slowdowns and low incomes, taxi drivers are finding it impossible to pay another 1,500 yuan per month as bridge toll.

"There are vehicles that substitute as taxi but the fare is 10 yuan each passenger. So fewer people travel between the two towns," said the resident.

Because of the boycott, Ruili residents who go to work in Jegao and students who go to schools in Muse are facing difficulties.