Kirkuk bus drivers protest vehicle ban, demand support or deadline extension

KIRKUK – More than 300 minibus drivers protested Thursday outside the Kirkuk governorate building over a government decision banning passenger buses older than 30 years from operating, a move they say threatens their livelihoods.

The decision, issued by Iraq’s General Traffic Directorate, requires red license plates on the affected buses to be withdrawn and replaced with yellow cargo plates, effectively reclassifying the vehicles for freight use only.

Drivers urged authorities to either cancel the order or extend the implementation deadline, citing a lack of financial resources to replace their vehicles. Some called for a delay until the New Year or the establishment of official procedures to convert vehicles.

“We cannot replace our buses with new models. Our livelihood depends on them, and if the government wants that, then it should provide us with new buses,” driver Abu Bilal told 964media.

Khalil Khaled, another driver, said, “Our demands concern the old buses with red plates. They have been seized here, while in the northern governorates these measures do not exist, and the same buses operate without restrictions. Why are the laws applied only to us? Are we not part of one country?”

He added, “We ask for an extension until the New Year or a grace period, or at least official procedures for vehicle conversion. We have no objection to converting if it is available.”

Col. Mohammed of the Kirkuk Traffic Police told 964media the local department was not responsible for enforcing the policy. “This decision is not in our hands. It was issued by the General Traffic Directorate in the Ministry of Interior,” he said. “Any bus older than 30 years must have its red plates withdrawn and replaced with yellow plates, which means it will be classified as a cargo vehicle. Only buses manufactured in 2000 and later are licensed for operation.”