Around 300 taxi drivers go on strike in Kutaisi

The protesters have demanded from bosses of their company to raise tariffs for carriage of passengers due to the rise in fuel prices. However, the company has stated that it could not meet the protesters' demands.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on December 10, 2016, in Tbilisi and Kutaisi, motorists held an action against the increase of excises on petroleum products from January 1, 2017. On December 14, 300 car owners repeated their demands in front of the government building in Kutaisi; they were supported by drivers of Batumi who staged a motor rally.

Since January 1, 2017, Georgia has doubled the excise per ton of gasoline – from 250 to 500 laris (from 5470 to 10,940 roubles); per ton of diesel fuel – more than doubled, from 150 to 400 laris (from 3282 to 8753 roubles); and for 1000 cubic meters of gas for cars – by 2.5 times, from 80 to 200 laris (from 1750 to 4376 roubles).

On January 10, protesters stated that since the start of the year their revenues have ceased to cover their expenses for buying expensive fuel.

"If the company bosses fail to raise tariffs, work will make no sense," the "Georgia-Online" quotes one of the protesters.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.