No hike in transportation fare before festivals, penalty for overcharging: Ministry

By Bishnu Pandeya, Kathmandu, Oct.6: The transport entrepreneurs are preparing to increase public transportation fares as Dashain, the main festival of Hindu in Nepal is approaching.

The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport has not given approval to increase fares even though many attempts to increase fares have been made.

Suresh Shrestha, Senior Division Engineer at the Department of Transport Management said that no decision has been made to increase fares, if found guilty of asking hike in fares then will face punishment accordingly.

He said that it is the duty of the entrepreneurs to facilitate denizens so they should not just focus on the arbitrary collection of fares.

A businessperson said that they have not opened advance booking of tickets even though it should be open by now. They will open bookings when the charge increases.

However, Senior Engineer Shrestha said that the ministry has instructed to proceed with the immediate work on opening of advance tickets. The government has not increased the price of petroleum products, therefore, there is no reason to increase the charge.

The business person has asked for the adjusted charge saying that the adjustment on vehicle charges which was to be done in March is still due.

Senior vice-president of the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs, Saroj Sitaula said that the advance booking of tickets is difficult until the adjustment in the fare.

He said, “The government should have made adjustments on fares in March, but, it is still due. This is our demand. We will not open advance ticket bookings until the charge is adjusted."

The entrepreneurs have been demanding to increase the fares many times citing the condition of the road, but, the Ministry has not given approval showing that the base to increase fares is not confirmed.

Engineer Shrestha said that the government has no intention to inconvenience the passengers by increasing the fares as concessions should be given to passengers during major festivals like Dashain and Tihar.

The meeting of the Infrastructure Development Committee held on October 4 (Wednesday) has made a suggestion that during the festival, vehicles should be well-maintained and tested beforehand, so that the passengers can reach their destination on time.

The committee has also suggested that action be taken against those who sell tickets at high prices, and those who overload.

It has also been suggested to maintain the cleanliness of the hotel, check the quality of food, and establish a help desk room and rapid inspection.

He said that the first priority is to manage public vehicles, if needed, then private vehicles will be mobilized as well.

He said, “Since there will be hordes of people travelling in Dashain, we will give priority to public vehicles. After that, if necessary, we will use public vehicles.”

He said that there is no possibility of a fare rise during the festivals as there has been constant dialogue with all the concerned parties regarding the rise.

Chakra Shahi from Kalikot located at Sundhara in Kathmandu expressed his anger on hearing that the attempts were made to increase fares.

He said, “It is heard that there have been attempts to increase fares. If so, then how are we going to pay for it? How are we going to go home in Dashain.”

Department of Transport Management said that there is no possibility of a hike in fares.

Ishwar Datta Paneru, Spokesperson at the Department of Transport Management said, “Vehicle fares will not increase just because of the demand from entrepreneurs.”