Fuel price hikes paralyze transportation between Derik-Qamishlo, driving up fares

Transportation and commuting activity at Derik’s bus station has declined significantly in recent days due to the steep rise in fuel prices.

The fare per passenger between Derik and Qamishlo increased from 15,000 Syrian pounds to 35,000 Syrian pounds, causing many citizens to avoid travel and movement because they can no longer afford the new costs.

This increase came after the price of free-market diesel rose from 55 cents to around 75 US cents per liter, along with a reduction in the amount of subsidized diesel provided for vehicles (sold at 525 Syrian pounds per liter) due to lower supplied quantities. This caused operating costs for drivers to rise and negatively affected various service and living sectors in the region.

Subsidized gasoline prices also increased from 450 Syrian pounds to 55 cents (with the exchange rate at 13,800 Syrian pounds per US dollar).

These fuel price increases coincided with continued electricity outages, rising prices of essential goods, and fees and taxes imposed on the movement of goods through border crossings.

Citizen Ahmad Issa from Derik said that traveling to Qamishlo has become more difficult in recent days, noting that vehicles now wait for long hours at the station due to the low number of passengers, while higher gasoline prices have also increased taxi fares.

He added that rising transportation costs have also affected food prices and the cost of basic necessities, worsening the hardships faced by residents under current economic conditions.

Meanwhile, driver Mohammad Ali, who works on the Derik–Qamishlo route, explained that the station is experiencing a clear slowdown because of increased transportation fares, confirming that the number of trips and passengers has dropped significantly.

He noted that daily earnings are no longer enough to cover living expenses and vehicle operating costs, adding that drivers are facing increasing difficulties due to higher fuel prices and the overall deterioration of economic conditions.

Residents and drivers fear that the crisis may continue in the coming period if no measures are taken to reduce fuel costs and ease the burden on the transportation sector and citizens.

Over the past few days, several cities in the Jazira region have witnessed protests calling for lower fuel prices and better control of market prices.

A-H 

ANHA