Syrians Travel Less as Fuel Prices Rise

The rise in fuel prices has reduced the volume of travel within Syria, the pro-government Al-Watan newspaper noted on May 28.



The newspaper noted that normally overcrowded bus stations are nearly empty, except during rush hour. People who work or study away from their home towns are staying put rather than travelling to see their families.



Bus fares from Damascus to Aleppo have doubled from 150 to 300 lira, while a ticket from Damascus to Homs has gone from 75 to 150 lira.



All the bus companies on intercity routes are private. Al-Watan blamed the government for not doing more to improve public transport between cities, and urged it to review transport policy and develop the train network as a cheaper option.