Mongolian drivers protesting against five-time rise in road tax

AKIPRESS.COM - Last week, a Parliament of Mongolia decided to increase annual road tax in Ulaanbaatar city by five times, imposing owners of vehicles to pay road tax from MNT 100 thousand to MNT 350 thousand each year depending on the type of vehicle motors, size and impact on the environment starting January 1, 2020, Montsame reported.
Expressing their opposition to this decision, today, on December 9, drivers are staging a protest on the roads of Ulaanbaatar city. The protesters are planning to continue the demonstration from 08:00 am to 5:00 pm, every day throughout this week.
Organizers are demanding the Ulaanbaatar city authorities to procure the 1200 buses used for the city's public transportation services only from domestic producers and annul the decision to increase the road tax.
As informed by the city police department, more than 40 vehicles with signs and slogans outside are taking part and some of them blocked the roads on the sides of the State House this morning during rush hours.
Concerning public disapproval of the decision, Prime Minister U.Khurelsukh summoned Ulaanbaatar City Mayor to reconsider the issue again at the Citizens' Representative Khural meeting, reflecting public opinions and suggestions.
Ulaanbaatar city Mayor S.Amarsaikhan previously said that the recently-approved Ulaanbaatar city budget for 2020 is not enough to meet the service delivery needs of Ulaanbaatar city. Therefore, the city decided to increase the road tax payment, which will help the city administration to carry out the planned repairs and maintenance of auto roads and the alike.