A project was launched in the capital Tehran to modernize aging trucks and buses, in line with a government drive to tackle air pollution which has hit alarming rates over the past few years.
An air pollution task force was assigned by Tehran Governor General Mohammad Hossein Moqimi to contact transport companies, the Department of Environment’s Tehran office and Tehran Municipality to compile a database on trucks and buses driving in the capital and ultimately replace the dilapidated ones, ISNA reported on Sunday.
“All public transport vehicles in Tehran, including buses and trucks, are required to apply for a smart card,” Moqimi said.
Government bodies have been prohibited from entering into service contracts with companies that operate, among their fleets, buses that lack a smart card or fail to go for mandatory periodic technical check-ups.
“About 600 old vehicles are transporting the employees of Tehran’s two auto-making companies and necessary measures should be taken to deal with them,” Moqimi said.
The new project offers packages that would encourage transportation companies and truck drivers to purchase new vehicles that meet international fuel consumption and safety standards.
