Proposal to Raise Tariffs in Restricted Traffic Zone

The Traffic and Transportation Organization of Tehran Municipality has proposed a bill to the Tehran City Council to increase tariffs on the one-year entry permit stickers that allow drivers to enter the capital’s central restricted traffic zone which is open only for public vehicles (buses, taxis and ambulances) on week days between 7am and 5pm. “The bill envisages a 10% increase on the entry permit labels (currently costing $500) for the next Iranian year which begins in March 2017,” said Mostafa Qanbarnejad, director of the permit issuance department at the organization, Borna News Agency reported. The move is to help reduce traffic congestion in central parts of the sprawling metropolis of 10 million. So far, over 40,000 cars have been registered to receive the entry stickers which are only issued to people in specific circumstances such as those living, working, or studying in the central zone, the handicapped, and employees of urban utility organizations.