Third-wheeled vehicles, locally referred to as 'Bajaj', will soon be banished from main roads if officials from the Addis Abeba Transport Bureau and the Ministry of Transport & Logistics push a bill to pass the federal legislative floor.

The bill will set tariffs, limiting their carrying capacity to three people and offering them fuel subsidies. It will restrict their movement to areas designated by the Addis Abeba Transport Bureau, which has registered close to 6,100 'Bajajs' in the last six months. The Communications Director, Etsegenet Abebe, noted that even with the vast numbers of registration, it is difficult to identify precisely how many roam the streets.

Bajaj drivers were enraged and voiced fears during their animated engagement with officials from the Bureau. The latter tried to persuade them that the bill is part of a national strategy by the Ministry to promote mass transportation modalities and reduce causes of road congestion.

A shortage of vehicles and long queues at public transport terminals is common in the capital, with over 2.7 million residents dependent on the public transport system. The Bureau deploys no less than 8,000 minibuses and nearly 1,500 buses, including 425 operated by Sheger Mass Transportation Services Enterprise. The Anbessa City Bus Services Enterprise runs a fleet of 650 buses.

According to Etsegenet, the bill was necessary with growing crime reports and a tendency to overload their seat capacity with as many as six passengers.

"It has become inescapable," Etsegenet told Fortune.

The appeal of fuel subsidies does little to slake the sense of doom felt by most owners and drivers.

Getasew Abebe, 26, is from Gojam, 299Km from the capital, in Amhara Regional State, driving Bajaj. After failing his 10th-grade national exam five years ago, he started to make a living by providing a 'Bajaj' transport service. He saved up 200,000 Br to buy the three-wheeled vehicle after three years of working as a daily labourer, now contemplating the idea of returning home in frustration, with debilitating anxiety expressed on his face.

"If carts are allowed to carry more people, I might as well buy a horse," he said as he exhaled, leaning onto his prized possession.

The drivers claim to experience harassment by traffic police officers and road transport personnel while the proposed bill is under the legislative grail. According to the drivers, the detour which lies outside the main roads, where they are being pushed towards, is exclusive to members of associations. Becoming a member of these associations needs unofficial payments that go as high as 200,000 Br, which most cannot afford.

Birhanu Ayew, 30, with a diploma in management, has been driving the three-wheeled vehicles after four years of unemployment.

"I'm going to sell it," he yelled, pointing to his beat-up blue 'bajaj'.

Drivers charge as high as 30 Br for a passenger in some parts of the capital carrying five people. Birhanu feels the proposed three and five Birr tariffs while putting a carrying cap of three-person is "unacceptable."

Imported mainly from India, the three-wheeled vehicles first appeared two decades ago in Dire Dewa. Gradually, they have become a regular sight across urban areas, including Addis Abeba, with the brand 'Bajaj' becoming a popular moniker for three-wheeled vehicles. Data from the former Federal Transport Authority reveals that nearly 170,000 three-wheeled vehicles operate on roads across the country.