Mon State’s Municipal Affairs Department has pledged to put the “wheel tax” collected at city entrances to good use.

The state government resumed collection of the wheel tax in nine out of 10 townships on June 1; it was previously collected by a private company after a tender process. Chaungzone township’s wheel tax is the only one still collected by a private company.

From June 1 to July 4 the Municipal Affairs Department says it raked in over K113.7 million from the tax.

“The revenue from the wheel tax will be used for regional development so the municipal [department] will be able to carry out a lot of work,” said U Myint Aung, director of the state Municipal Affairs Department. He did not elaborate on what kind of projects would be undertaken.

According to U Myint Aung, a big vehicle is charged K500, a medium-size vehicle is charged K300 and a small vehicle is charged K200. Motorcyclists are not charged.

Truck drivers say they have noticed no difference in the rate.

“It cost K600 to drive from Mawlamyine to Thanbyuzayat when the wheel tax was collected by a [private] company. Now, it still costs K600 kyats when it is collected by the municipality,” said a driver from a bus line running between Mawlamyine and Thanbyuzayat.

According to state officials, Mon State collected over K424 million from wheel tax revenue last year.