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It seems that the troublesome "tuk-tuk," which has been prevalent on Egyptian streets for years, is heading towards its final demise, as local authorities begin to tighten restrictions and move towards replacing it with smaller vehicles. These newer vehicles can fulfill the tuk-tuk's role in navigating the difficult streets and narrow alleyways, while simultaneously providing the safety and order that are lacking in the three-wheeled vehicle, which operates without a license.
A few days ago, the Giza Governorate announced a plan to replace tuk-tuks with smaller, more modern vehicles as part of a modern transportation system aimed at improving traffic flow and raising the quality of services provided to citizens. The governorate stated that it "will begin implementing a pilot program for the new vehicles in the coming days, starting in the districts of Haram, Agouza, 6th of October City, and October Gardens, in preparation for evaluating the program on the ground and addressing any issues before gradually expanding it to the rest of the governorate." A photo of the alternative vehicle to the tuk-tuk in Egypt (Giza Governorate).
The anticipated vehicle, known as "Cute," is characterized by its ability to navigate narrow streets and its ability to run on natural gas and gasoline. According to the Giza Governorate, it "can travel up to 550 km on a single tank of gas and is officially licensed by the General Directorate of Traffic as a taxi, meaning it cannot be driven by minors."
Also this month, the Cairo Governorate banned "tuk-tuks from operating on all main streets and thoroughfares in the capital, restricting their movement to secondary roads only. Numerous campaigns have been conducted in recent days, resulting in the seizure of unlicensed vehicles that violated the issued regulations."
Tuk-tuks typically disregard traffic regulations and designated routes, and their fares are not standardized and are arbitrarily set. Their reputation is also associated with frequent accidents and their exploitation by criminals.
Local development expert Hamdi Arafa believes that "the recent steps pave the way for the eventual elimination of the tuk-tuk, but this will take considerable time, especially since the measures were implemented in only two out of 27 governorates. However, the effectiveness of the recent decisions is bolstered by their focus on creating alternatives and providing incentives for drivers."
In a statement to Asharq Al-Awsat, he added, "The tuk-tuk has become a national security issue. There are millions of unlicensed vehicles operating without regulation, causing chaos on the streets, and serving as a tool for committing crimes. Eliminating this threat requires the concerted efforts of various ministries, not just local authorities, and necessitates a broad dialogue with drivers' representatives." The Egyptian government has repeatedly announced solutions and programs to address the tuk-tuk crisis, but none have materialized. In September 2019, the Ministry of Local Development announced a program to replace tuk-tuks with natural gas-powered vans, but implementation has stalled. The government has also issued various decrees banning their import and has attempted to legalize their use.
Jaber Abdel Hamid, a 40-year-old building guard in the working-class Faisal district of Giza Governorate, is apprehensive about the idea of replacing his tuk-tuk. He explains that he bought his two-year-old on an installment plan after prices increased and is still paying them off. He is unsure whether he will be able to sell it now that the replacement plan is in place, or if he will face even greater losses.
Jaber leaves the tuk-tuk with his son, who is in primary school, in the evenings so he can focus on his job as a building guard. He told Asharq Al-Awsat, "The tuk-tuk provides extra income, and it's difficult to give up my job as a building guard just to drive it, and vice versa." Mohamed Kamal, a tuk-tuk driver in his early twenties, believes it's impossible to replace his vehicle. In a statement to Asharq Al-Awsat, he explained that he has already paid hefty fines, once reaching 10,000 Egyptian pounds (approximately $1,700 USD, with the exchange rate at around 47 Egyptian pounds to the dollar), for driving on main roads.
He added, "I can't afford to pay any more money. Besides, the Boulaq El-Dakrour district, which is part of the traffic area, is working on vehicle licensing procedures, and I intend to take this step soon."
Cairo Governorate Tightens Restrictions on Tuk-Tuk Operations (Cairo Governorate)
There are no official statistics on the number of tuk-tuks in Egypt. However, the Cabinet spokesperson, Ambassador Nader Saad, estimated the number at 2.5 million by mid-2021. Meanwhile, the number of licensed tuk-tuks was recorded at approximately 186,918, according to statistics issued by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics at the end of last year.
Former Egyptian Assistant Interior Minister, Major General Mohamed Nour El-Din, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the measures taken by the Cairo and Giza governorates confirm a trend toward regulating tuk-tuks and replacing them with vehicles that align with modern road infrastructure and plans to attract tourism following the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum. This coincides with the tuk-tuk becoming a serious security threat requiring urgent intervention.
The Giza Governorate is offering incentives to tuk-tuk owners who choose to replace their vehicles with new ones, according to Assistant Secretary-General Mohamed Marei, who told local media outlets, "There is an agreement between the governorate and the manufacturing company to refund 10,000 Egyptian pounds to anyone who buys a new vehicle, in addition to an extra subsidy of up to 1,000 Egyptian pounds." However, both Jaber and Mohamed Kamal considered these incentives insufficient, given the high price of the new car, which reaches 200,000 pounds, and it does not match their living conditions. They demanded that there be facilities to pay the amount in installments over long periods.