Much of Addis Ababa has been paralysed as taxi drivers on Monday embarked on a strike to protest a revised tariff for city trips, APA can report on Tuesday.
Hundreds of taxi drivers brought the Ethiopian capital to a standstill, saying the revised fare was not proportional to increased fuel prices.
The government increased the price of fuel twice in a month after its fuel import from neighboring Sudan was halted due to a border conflict.
“We already have much lower fares against increasing prices of fuel,” said the taxi owners and drivers.
They also want the government to cancel fines which have been accumulated over the years.
Although the authorities increased the peak hour frequency of public transport on Monday, a lot of passengers were affected by the strike.
There have been long queues of passengers in Megenagna, Ayat Kolfe and Awtobestera areas.
The strike especially affected those people who live in the outskirts of Addis Ababa where train service is not available.
Addis Ababa City Transport Head Engineer Sitotaw Tekele said the fares were revised based on the paying ability of passengers and increased fuel price.
“The government will take stringent measures if the protest continues,” he added.
Police said they have arrested 56 taxi drivers over the protest which they claimed was infiltrated by individuals with political motives.
The strike has continued in some parts of the city on Tuesday.
MG/as/APA