Phnom Penh Post - Higher parking fees anger taxi drivers

Around 20 taxi drivers in Banteay Meanchey province’s Thmor Pouk district plan to protest today in front of district government offices over an increase in parking fees for taxis, a representative of the drivers said Monday. Khoeng Chheng Heak, a taxi driver from Thmor Pouk district, said fees charged by the Plong Chamroen Company, which manages parking in the district, had been increased this month from 5,000 riels to 10,000 riels (about US$2.50). “The price is very expensive for us because sometimes we don’t earn any money, so we won’t agree to pay that price to them. We will protest to only pay 2,000 riels,” he said. Deab Chhun, the district governor, said he would try to reduce the fees during negotiations set for Wednesday. The owner of the Plong Chamroen Company could not be reached for comment on Monday.