Good news for private vehicles as number of taxis drop by 20% in 2014

With an annual vehicle growth rate of 11 percent in Bhutan, the total number of vehicles has been steadily increasing. After the enforcement of temporary prohibition on the import of vehicles, vehicle growth decreased to 0.71 percent in 2013. Nevertheless, after lifting the prohibition on the import of vehicles in June 2014, the total number of vehicles (as of December 2014) reached 69,602 compared to 67,926 vehicles in 2013, an increase of 2.5 percent.

According to the 6th Annual Infocomm and Transport Statistical Bulletin 2015, Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC), the total number of taxi vehicles in the country decreased by about 20.8 percent in 2014 or by 1,082 numbers compared to 2013. There were 4,109 taxis in 2014, whereas there were 9,750 taxis in 2013.

“Unlike the previous year, in 2014 Thimphu region saw the maximum drop in the number of taxis that is by 22.8% followed by Phuentsholing and Samdrupjongkhar region. However, Gelephu region saw its taxi numbers increase by 4.7%,” states the 6th Annual Infocomm and Transport Statistical Bulletin 2015.

The report shows that Thimphu region had 2,707 taxis in 2014 down from 3,508 taxis in 2013. Phuentsholing region had 1,192 taxis in 2014 and 1,475 taxis in 2013. Gelephu region had 156 in 2014 up from 149 taxis in 2013 and Samdrup Jongkhar region had 54 taxis in 2014 and just 59 taxis in 2013.

The bulletin also states that in 2014, the heavy vehicle category,  exceeding 10 tons gross vehicle weight or a bus seating more than 25 adults (including the diver) generally trucks for freight and passenger buses, saw a decrease of 0.8 percent, which is 70 less vehicles after adjusting new and off road vehicles, thereby taking its total to 8,474. In 2013 there was 8,544 heavy vehicle in the country.

The total number of medium vehicles, after adjusting new and off road vehicles, increased by about 45 numbers or by 3.3 percent compared to 2013. There are 1,347 medium vehicles in 2014 and 1,392 in 2013. A medium vehicle is defined as a motor vehicle exceeding 3 tons but not exceeding 10 tons gross vehicle weight or a bus seating between 13 and 24 passengers.

After adjusting new and off road vehicles, 2,328 light vehicles were added to the Bhutanese roads in 2014, which is an increase of 5.9 percent from 2013.  Therefore, the total number of light vehicles is 41,924 numbers, an increase of 3.3 percent compared to 2013. There were 39596 numbers of light vehicles in 2013. Light vehicles are motor vehicle (which is not a two-wheeler) seating not more than 12 adults (including the driver) and not exceeding 3 tones gross vehicle weight.

The bulletin says that in 2013, the two-wheelers segment saw an increase of 238 numbers or 2.4 percent, after adjusting new and off road vehicles, taking the total number of two-wheelers to 9,988 in 2014 and 9,750 two wheelers in 2013.

In 2014, Thimphu region registered 36,796 vehicles. There were 25,196 vehicles registered under Phuentsholing region, 3,407 under Gelephu region, 4,103 under Samdrup Jongkhar region and 100 under Monggar region.

In terms of ownership pattern, government agencies and public sector corporations own about 8.5 percent of the total vehicles, 91.3 percent are owned by private organizations and individuals and the remaining 0.2 percent is registered with the diplomatic missions in Bhutan.

 

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