Turkish drivers protest rising diesel and operating costs

Drivers and automobile tradesmen in Turkey are expressing significant distress over rising fuel costs, particularly diesel, which they claim is making their businesses unsustainable.

In Didim, Barış Şam, President of the Didim Drivers and Automobile Tradesmen Chamber, stated that consecutive fuel price hikes have significantly increased transportation costs. He noted that rising expenses for vehicle maintenance, insurance, taxes, and spare parts have made current service tariffs insufficient. Şam called on political representatives in the Aydın Metropolitan Municipality Council to collaborate on updating tariffs to ensure continued service.

Similarly, in Akşehir, Fikri Kurt, President of the Akşehir Drivers and Automobile Tradesmen Chamber, reported that diesel prices have reached levels that prevent tradesmen from operating. Kurt highlighted that small business owners are struggling to manage fuel costs alongside insurance, taxes, and fines. He criticized the lack of ministerial support for small tradesmen, stating that the current economic pressure is making it nearly impossible to support their families through their work.