Turkmenistan bids farewell to cheap transportation fees

Ashgabat, June 4 (Itar-Tass) -- Turkmenistan has bid farewell to the fabulously cheap fees of municipal transport and domestic airlines.

A municipal transport passenger will now have to pay 1,000 manatsinstead of 50 (or $0.07) per ride. The fees have thus grown by 20 times. The official exchange rate is 14,250 manats to the dollar.

The decision to raise transportation fees was announced at the last government meeting of May. Speakers said that fees on internal motor and air rides, which had been in effect until June 1, did not meet the expenditures.

Turkmenistan had to review prices and fees because of the unifiedexchange rate, which was established on May 1. Previously, the exchange rate stood at 6,250 manats to the dollar.

The air transport fees grew by 10-12 times on June 1. Previously, the air transport fees amazed foreigners, who could buy a ticket to any place in Turkmenistan for $10-17. Local residents paid 70,000 - 100,000 manatsfor a two-way ticket. Now the fees are up to 380,000 - 540,000 manats.

Meanwhile, the state airline Turkmenhovaellary reduced international flight charges. For instance, an air ticket to Moscow costs 25% less. - end.