Public Transportation Price Hikes, Fuel Rationing, On Eve Of Iranian New Year

Public transport fares in Tehran have been raised by as much as 45 percent on the eve of the Iranian new year amid the country's worst economic crisis in decades.

Saeed Bashiri, the deputy of Tehran's governorate, revealed on Wednesday that fares for the metro will see a 28 percent increase, buses 26 percent, and taxis a 45 percent rise from May.

Jafar Tashakkori Hashemi, the head of the Urban and Transportation Commission of the City Council, had previously indicated in the council's recent session that the metro's entrance fee within Tehran would experience an increase of 16 percent.

On March 13, the National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company announced that fuel distribution to Nowruz holiday travelers in Sistan and Baluchestan, Kerman, and southeastern parts of Hormozgan provinces would be implemented through designated fuel stations, set to cause holiday chaos.

Reports say that if gasoline consumption surpasses designated thresholds during the holidays, the rationing will extend to other provinces too.

With the commencement of Nowruz travels in recent days, authorities of the Islamic Republic have disclosed a "record gasoline consumption."

As of March 13, the average daily gasoline consumption for the year stood at 115 million liters, marginally rising to 117.4 million liters before Nowruz travels commenced.

Last year's record gasoline consumption on March 18 was noted at 143 million liters.