About 20 taxi drivers angry about the city’s new rule preventing them from entering Phnom Penh blocked a portion of National Route 6A on Tuesday, jamming traffic for an hour.
Six firetrucks were called to the scene to disperse the drivers, who were arguing with police and other authorities attempting to stop their vehicles from entering the city.
Tuesday marked the beginning of the municipality’s ban on taxis entering the city from the northern provinces.
Officials say the ban is designed to ease traffic congestion and beautify the city.
Taxis are now required to stop at Prek Leap market, located about 5 km outside the city, and transfer their passengers to buses which will take them to Phnom Penh.
Taxi drivers said it was not fair that Ho Wah Genting Transport Co, a Malaysian company, has a license to provide bus transportation from Phnom Penh to Prek Leap and from Prek Leap to the provinces.
“If Ho Wah is allowed to do this, we taxi drivers will make no money because people will get off the bus and get on another one,” said Houn Hak, a taxi driver who takes people to and from Kompong Cham province.
Sin Phearom, assistant manager for How Wah, said taxi drivers should not interfere with Ho Wah’s business because the company received permission from the Ministry of Public Works and the municipality to operate the buses.
He said his company has already tried to help local taxi drivers by cutting down the number of trips from Prek Leap to the provinces from 12 per day to seven.
“If we cannot invest here, we will leave and tell our friends not to come here,” Sin Phearom said.
Nhem Saran, director of the municipality’s Public Works Department, said the taxi drivers should concentrate on improving the quality of their service instead of blaming Ho Wah.
“I think people will choose Ho Wah buses because they are safe, air conditioned and are comfortable,” he said.
