HERAT, Afghanistan — Several taxi drivers in Herat say they cannot afford the required 25,000 to 40,000 Afghanis (approximately $370 to $590) to repaint their vehicles under a regulation implemented by the Taliban’s traffic department.
The drivers say the law, enforced by the Taliban-run Herat’s traffic management office, mandates that all taxis undergo the color change, placing further strain on an already struggling workforce.
Earlier this year, in April, the Taliban’s general traffic administration began requiring taxis in the provinces of Herat, Ghor, Badghis, Nimroz, and Daikundi to change their vehicle colors.
Ahmad Mokhtar, who has driven a taxi in Herat for a decade, says his business has declined in recent years, especially since the Taliban returned to power. Supporting a family of six, he explains that even meeting basic daily expenses has become a challenge.
“This decision forced me to spend nearly 40,000 Afghanis (about $590) to repaint my car, a sum I had painstakingly saved after years of work,” Mokhtar said.
“The business situation is just terrible now, and the economy is weak,” he continued. “There are so many three-wheeled vehicles that people now pay them 10 Afghanis (about $0.15) instead of the 20 Afghanis (around $0.30) they would give to a taxi. There are too many issues,” Mokhtar added.
Other taxi drivers in Herat report being required to pay 9,500 Afghanis (around $140) to the Taliban-approved painting company, along with more than 10,000 Afghanis (about $150) to the traffic management office for updating their vehicle permits to reflect the color change. An additional 10,000 Afghanis is often needed for vehicle repairs related to the process.
The Taliban have appointed an exclusive painting company, requiring all taxi drivers to use its services for the color change. According to drivers, this company charges 9,500 Afghanis per vehicle—a price they claim is almost five times what they would pay if they could repaint their vehicles independently.
Ghulam Sakhi Rasuli, another taxi driver in Herat, described the struggles facing the city’s drivers: “The situation for taxis in Herat is very poor. The traffic management office charges 15,000 to 20,000 Afghanis (about $220 to $300) for the color change, and three-wheeled vehicles now compete for passengers who would otherwise use taxis.”
The Taliban’s traffic department began the color-change process in Herat, Ghor, Daikundi, Badghis, and Nimroz on March 31, according to the Afghan calendar. At the time, officials said more than 6,000 taxis were registered for the change, with a goal to complete the process by October. Yet, eight months later, the project remains unfinished.
