Due to armed groups collecting a large amount of tolls (taxes) from motorists, some trucks have ceased operation along the highway that connects Kutkai-Namhpatkar-Muse in Shan State to the Mandalay Region.

Local motorists report that the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), and the Military Council are all collecting tolls separately from motorists along the Muse-Mandalay Road, particularly around the Shu Khin Thar area between Namhpatkar and Kutkai.

“Given the current circumstances, both commodity and fuel prices have significantly increased. Despite carrying small loads, the taxes imposed during transportation are exorbitant, resulting in economic loss. Consequently several truck drivers have stopped working the route ”, a local trucker told Shan Herald.

KIA troops stationed in the Shu Khin Thar area between Namhpatkar and Kutkai, are known to charge a fee of 200,000 kyats for a 6-wheeled truck, he added.

“We need to contact KIA beforehand and provide them with details of our vehicle, such as its type and license plate number, before approaching Shu Khin Thar. Failure to do so may result in higher fees being imposed. For example a a truck that typically cost 200,0 kyat, they may charge two or three times as much. The typical fee for a 6-wheeled truck is between 150,000 and 200,000 kyats”, he explained.

According to motorists, TNLA is also collecting fees ranging from 50,000 kyats – 300,000 kyats per truck along that road. In addition to these fees, truckers must also pay at toll gates when entering and exiting the towns, as well as at the Military Council’s checkpoints. They incur significant financial losses, leaving them with little or no profit. As a consequence many truckers have decided to suspend their operations.

“Many truckers have had to resort to odd jobs to support their families after ceasing their driving jobs, while some have become entirely dependent on their families. While we cannot forbid armed groups from collecting fees, we implore them to consider the well- being of the truckers and reduce the amount they collect”, a trucker over 40 years old who used to operate on Muse-Mandalay Road told the Shan Herald.

Currently, many drivers who have lost their jobs are struggling to make ends meet. As a result, they have been requesting that armed groups reduce the toll fees collected from them.