Rickshaw drivers in Herat are reporting a significant drop in income following a municipal ban on their operation in the city center.
While Taliban officials cite traffic control and urban order as reasons for the restriction, the move has devastated the livelihoods of many who rely on these low-cost vehicles.
Drivers argue that limiting their access to busy areas has made it impossible to earn a living wage. Residents are also feeling the pinch, as rickshaws provided an affordable transport option. They are now forced to pay higher fares for taxis, adding to the financial burden on households.
With unemployment rates high, driving a rickshaw is often the only source of income for many families. Locals are urging authorities to reconsider the ban and find traffic solutions that do not disproportionately punish the poor working class during these difficult economic times.
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