Kathmandu, September 2

The government has proposed transport entrepreneurs to start booking of bus tickets for the upcoming Dashain and Tihar festivals from September 11. Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has called a meeting with stakeholders on Wednesday to discuss opening booking of bus tickets.

“We will propose transport entrepreneurs to start taking ticket bookings from September 11. We are optimistic that they will start taking advance booking

of bus tickets from the given date,” informed Gogan Bahadur Hamal, director general of the department.

The advance bus ticket booking for the public is usually opened a month before Dashain festival begins. However, every year transport entrepreneurs put forth their demands and conditions before opening the booking of bus tickets, thereby delaying advance booking of bus tickets.

Even this year, transport entrepreneurs have been pressurising the government to raise the public transportation fare prior to opening the bus ticket booking. Citing that price of fuel and other non-fuel items has surged significantly, transport entrepreneurs have been seeking a revision in public transportation fare before the festive season begins.

DoTM had raised public transportation fare by 20 per cent in June citing the rise in price of fuel and other non-fuel components that are taken into consideration while determining public transportation fare. However, the government had immediately rolled back the decision under direction from Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.

The non-fuel items that are taken into consideration while revising public transportation fare include vehicle cost, price of spare parts, labour cost, price of tyres and other lubricants.

Meanwhile, transport entrepreneurs have said that they will start taking advance booking of bus tickets from September 11 only if the government creates a favourable environment.

“Vehicle operating cost has gone up with surge in price of both fuel and non-fuel products. Similarly, the condition of roads across the country is pathetic,” said Saroj Sitaula, general secretary of Federation of Nepal National Transport Entrepreneurs. “We are optimistic that these issues will be taken into consideration before opening the booking of bus tickets for Dashain.”