Tehran - Iran - page 146

the Sad Abad and Niyavaran palaces. Heading south, Line 1 stops at Terminal-e Jonub,
Rey and Haram-e Motahar for both the Holy Shrine of Imam Khomeini and the Behesht-e
Zahra martyrs cemetery, though does not yet run as far as Imam Khomeini International
Airport.
Line 2 runs between Tehran (Sadeghieh) in the west (where it connects with Line 5 to Ka-
raj), and Tehran Pars in the suburbs of the east. It connects to Line 1 at Imam Khomeini
Sq, and is handy to the Amir Kabir St cheap hotels (Mellat station).
Line 3 is under construction and the first stations around Meydan-e Valiasr should be open
when you read this. Running from satellite town Islamsharh in the south to the far north-
eastern suburbs, Line 3 will link Tehran train station (Rah Ahan) with the rest of the
Metro, and have a section beneath mega-crowded Valiasr Ave.
This primarily east-west line runs between Mehrabad airport in the west and Shahid Koh-
ladooz in the southeastern suburbs. It should be completed by the time you read this and
be most useful as a link between central Tehran and Mehrabad airport, Meydan-e Azadi
and Terminal-e Gharb (Azadi or Western terminal) in the west. Note that the stop for Az-
adi Square and Terminal-e Gharb is Meydan-e Azadi, not the Azadi stop on Line 2.
The completed Line 5 is largely above ground and is, in effect, an extension of Line 2. It
runs from Tehran (Sadeghieh) to the west passing via Karaj to Golshahr.
Taxi
Taxi fares in Tehran are higher than elsewhere in Iran. Meter taxis do exist, but we've yet
to see a meter actually working.
Yellow and green taxis are supposed to be private taxis, but any empty car will usually
take you dar baste if you ask. The alternative is to get your hotel to call a 'wireless taxi' (
133) , which cost a little more. You could also call the Women's Taxi Company (
1821) , whose green taxis are driven by women, for women passengers only.
Unless you're familiar with the going taxi rates, agree to a price before getting in the
vehicle. Most drivers won't go anywhere for less than US$2, and will push prices up in
lots of US$0.40 to US$0.70 for longer trips. Negotiation is encouraged.
Sample fares include the following: Imam Khomeini Sq to Valiasr Sq (about US$3/5 in
off-peak/peak hour); and Imam Khomeini Sq to Tajrish Sq (about US$7/13). Around town
you can charter a taxi for about US$10 an hour. To get from southern Tehran to the north,
even in a private taxi, takes a minimum of half an hour, much longer in peak hour when
prices rise accordingly.