Denial Of Fare Discounts

It was the first week of December. I was travelling home to Balkot from the office, on a microbus operating along the Sundhara-Sano Thimi route. Around 8:30 pm, near Tinkune, the driver suddenly announced that student ID cards would no longer be accepted for fare concessions. 

The government has arranged a 45 per cent discount on public transportation for students holding valid identity cards, with the agreement of transport operators. Yet, a few students protesting this denial were met with shouting. The driver claimed students should not be travelling so late, insisting it was neither school nor college hours. 

Usually, I avoid getting involved in such situations. This time, however, I felt compelled to speak up, not for myself but for thousands of students across the country who rely on these concessions to ease their families’ financial burden. Many of these students travel long distances to access better education, often leaving their hometowns and moving to other districts or cities. For them, such a concession is not a mere convenience – it is a necessity. 

I argued that the concession is not limited to school hours but should be available at all times. The reaction from fellow passengers, mostly adults, was bewildering, as if I were wrong. Despite my backing, the students had to pay full fare after the driver ordered them to get off the vehicle and take another one that provided the concession. It was already late, so no one dared to leave, and the students were left feeling helpless. 

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. The students are denied concessions after 8 pm, during weekends, public holidays and during festive seasons. Those who try to protest are often silenced by the harsh words of drivers and co-drivers. Many choose to remain quiet out of fear of harassment, letting their rightful concessions go unclaimed. 

Student concession are not limited to transportation. In 2022, the Ministry of Health and Population introduced a 50 per cent discount for students on outpatients’ services at government hospitals. Nepal Airlines Corporation also offers a 25 per cent discount on domestic flights for students under 25. I believe many beneficiaries are not even aware of this provision. 

Nepal Telecom has special packages for students. Similarly, the government has arranged concessions for students while visiting heritage sites, the central zoo, museums and other places. These policies were introduced to make essential services and education more accessible, reducing financial burden on students and their families. 

However, poor implementation undermines these initiatives. Some drivers offer only 25-30 per cent of the discount in Kathmandu. The situation is likely even worse outside the valley. Students are frequently denied concessions on long routes as well.  There are no clear mechanisms for students to report violations effectively. Although the authorities have instructed students to call 103 to complain traffic police, many complaints end with little to no follow-up. 

There have also been cases of individuals misusing student ID cards to claim concessions. The government should establish a monitoring mechanism to both prevent the misuse of student fare concessions and hold accountable those who violate or refuse to follow the rules. The government’s intention behind these concessions is clear: to make education and daily life more accessible and affordable. But these intentions mean little if rights are not honoured. Students deserve consistent enforcement of these policies every day, at all hours, and on every route. After all, supporting students today is an investment in the educated citizens of tomorrow.