Aridi Denies Increase in Cab, Van Tariffs

An increase in the public transportation tariffs created controversy in Lebanon on Wednesday, as the Public Works and Transport Ministry confirmed there was no official decision to boost the prices.

Some drivers of “service taxis” and vans decided to boost the transportation fees by LL500 or LL1,000, causing a tumult.

Other than taxis, Lebanon is known to have “service taxis” that take several passengers at the same time.

According to As Safir daily, Public Works and Transport Minister Ghazi al-Aridi discussed the matter on Tuesday with Prime Minister Najib Miqati and agreed to order the Internal Security Forces to take measures against those violating the law.

Aridi told the newspaper that “the drivers, who increased the tariffs are violating the law and blackmailing the state.”

He stressed that the tariffs are set by his ministry and urged the drivers who have comments on the issue to bring up the matter to him.

Aridi noted that he called for a meeting with the public and private drivers syndicates on Wednesday to “set things straight.”

He stated that the syndicates confirmed its commitment to the official tariffs.

Some Lebanese users of the facebook social network circulated a message on Tuesday urging other users to send a text message to al-Aridi to protest the boost in prices.

“Don’t be afraid! send a text message to Public Works and Transport Minister Ghazi al-Aridi and write in it: Why did the cab’s tariffs become LL3,000 and the vans LL1,500? … Don’t be afraid it’s our right to inquire.”