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Several Kabul residents have expressed concern over rising rental prices for vehicles used at events and for travel. They say that car rental companies and centers have significantly increased their prices in line with the rise in wedding celebrations and the travel season, with rates varying across different locations. They add that in the past, vehicle rental costs reached a maximum of 5,000 Afghani per day, depending on the model, but now even lower-model vehicles are not rented for less than that amount. According to them, these rising costs have left many families unable to afford such services, placing additional economic strain on them.
Speaking to the Hasht-e Subh Daily, these residents say that with the onset of spring, summer, an increase in wedding celebrations, and other ceremonies, the prices of rental vehicles also rise. They emphasize that the absence of fixed rates and adequate oversight has allowed rental prices to be set arbitrarily, causing difficulties for the public.
For a long time, residents of Kabul and other provinces have used rental vehicles to transport guests to events, ceremonies, and trips. In Kabul, these vehicles are not used solely for weddings, engagement parties, and other ceremonies, but also for travel outside the city.
Sultan, a resident of the Karte Naw area of Kabul, says that his brother’s wedding was held about a week ago, and they were forced to rent three vehicles for one day for 7,000 Afghani each. He adds that, on top of other expenses such as fuel, the rising rental costs were also a source of concern. According to him, the increase in vehicle rental prices has made planning events more difficult. He says that in the past, he could arrange several vehicles to transport guests at a reasonable cost, but now rental prices have risen sharply.
This Karte Naw resident says: “I visited several car rental centers to find a suitable vehicle, but in the end I was forced to rent three vehicles at 7,000 Afghani each for one day. Taking into account fuel costs and other expenses, the total came to a very high amount. Even for the following day’s ceremony, we had to rent the same vehicles again at the same price. During this wedding season, every car rental company sets its own prices as it sees fit. There are no fixed rates, and people have no choice but to accept whatever price they are told.”
Sultan emphasizes that the absence of oversight has created the conditions for unrestrained price increases. In his view, if specific rates were established and their enforcement monitored, many of these problems would be resolved.
Shekab, another Kabul resident who works at one of the country’s banks, says that every year during spring, they used rental vehicles for recreational inter-provincial travel, but this year they were unable to make such a trip due to the increased costs.
This Kabul resident adds: “In the past, we would rent a vehicle, pool money with friends, and travel for a week to Nuristan, Bamyan, and other provinces. But this year the costs had risen sharply, and we cancelled the trip. If a vehicle rents for 5,000 Afghani per day, that comes to 35,000 Afghani for a week. On top of that, there are fuel costs, accommodation, and food, which altogether make it very expensive.”
Meanwhile, several car rental centers say that they have not increased their rates, but have rather been compelled to set these prices due to the high cost of vehicles and repair expenses. They add that in some cases, vehicles are damaged after being rented, and the cost of repairs is not covered.
Wali Mohammad, a car dealer in Kabul city, says that due to the slowdown in the car sales market, he now rents out his vehicles. He considers the rates he has set to be fair for city residents. He adds: “We rent lower-model vehicles from 2002 onwards for 2,500 Afghani per day, and Pakistani-import vehicles for 1,500 Afghani per day. Higher-model vehicles start from 5,000 Afghani. For a higher-model vehicle, we charge 60,000 Afghani per month within Kabul and 70,000 Afghani for provincial travel.”
In the city of Kabul, lower-model vehicles are rented at some centers for between 3,000 and 4,000 Afghani per day, and higher-model vehicles for between 5,000 and 8,000 Afghani per day. For travel within Kabul city, these vehicles are rented monthly for approximately 60,000 Afghani, while for travel to the provinces, the amount varies by distance and route, reaching around 70,000 Afghani for nearby provinces.
Kabul residents say that these vehicles are used for travel within the city, inter-provincial trips, and for weddings and other ceremonies. The rising costs of these vehicles have now created widespread concern among Kabul residents and have even led to the cancellation of some trips.
You can read the Persian version of this report here:
افزایش هزینه موترهای کرایی در کابل؛ باشندهگان: نرخها سلیقهای تعیین میشود
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