- Web Master
- June 26, 2024
The cycle-rickshaw drivers have said that their
business is thriving due to the substantial increase in fuel prices in
Sittwe township,
the capital city of Rakhine
State.
Before the conflict resumed in the
Rakhine region,
the cost of 92 RON gasoline was MMK 2,200 per litre in Sittwe
locality. But after the conflict, prices surged
to MMK 30,000 per litre
as on 9 December.
Consequently, a decline is
observed in the number of engine driven three-wheelers,
auto rickshaws (locally known as tuk-tuk), and motorbike sidecar drivers across
the city. With
the rise in fuel prices, the fares
have been increased and
hence many people start using cycle-rickshaws.
"There is a significant increase in the
number of cycle-rickshaw users.
It can be said
that relying on cycle-rickshaws lately
becomes
a good business now,"
said U Aung Kyaw
Sein, a cycle-rickshaw driver.
Usually cycle-rickshaw drivers
earn MMK 5,000 to 8,000 per
day. But now they can earn from
MMK 10,000 to 15,000 every
day.
"As the
cycle-rickshaw takes time to arrive at a destination, a few
people hired the cycle-rickshaws. But now more people start preferring the
cycle-rickshaws as it’s cheaper. If one hires a tuk-tuk, the
minimum rent will be MMK 5,000. However,
the cycle-rickshaw fare is still
reasonable,” said
U Aung San Thar, another cycle-rickshaw driver.
But because of the current
increase in prices of essential commodities
in Sittwe, the cycle-rickshaw
drivers have to struggle
to arrange two meals a day for their families, he
added.
Earlier, most of the cycle-rickshaw
riders used to carry goods from
Sittwe Myoma market.
Since 13 November,
when the gun fighting resumed
in Rakhine State, the military
council imposed
blockades on both land and waterways across the region. This
led to a situation of fuel shortages as
the transportation of fuel is also restricted.
Latey, the number of
bicycle users has also increased in various Rakhine townships
inincluding Sittwe.