DUSHANBE, July 5, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- Drivers of eight-seat Chinese Hafei  minivans, known among the population as Tangem (named after a female Korean soap opera star popular on local television), may use these minivans for their own family needs, Sherafgan Latifov, a spokesman for the Dushanbe police traffic directorate, said in an interview with Asia-Plus.

“Drivers of Tangem minivans are banned from carrying passengers in the capital city starting July 1, however, they may use them for their family needs,” Latifov said, noting that those who break the rules will have to pay a fee of 350 to 700 somoni.

He added the ban was motivated by passenger safety concerns.

We will recall that Dushanbe authorities banned the Tangem minivans from moving along the main streets of the Tajik capital in April this year, contending that the Tangem minivans are a source of frequent traffic accidents.  Deputy Mayor Abdulhamid Sheraliyev told reporters last April that more spacious, comfortable and safe Hyundai minivans will replace the Tangem minivans.