KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 29
With more people in travel rush to join their families back home for Dashain celebration, traffic police have stepped up action against transport workers overcharging and troubling passengers.
According to Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, as many as 42 people, including ticket clerks, bus drivers and helpers were arrested for charging exorbitant fare. Senior Superintendent Police, KVTPO spokesperson, informed that traffic cops in civvies had taken them into custody from Koteshwor, Balkhu, Gongabu, Machhapokhari and Kalanki yesterday.
The alleged offenders were found to be overcharging passengers of long-route buses, troubling them and denying them the seats mentioned in their tickets during monitoring and inspection. They have been handed over to civil police for action under the Motor Vehicle and Transport Management Act, 1997.
Traffic police have been rigorously checking suspected cases of black marketing of bus tickets. Some suspects were caught collecting tickets from counters in the bus park and trying to sell them at inflatedprices. Traffic cops have also intensified vigilance against crooked transport workers and middlemen to prevent black marketing of bus tickets. Passenger help desks have been set up in 14 places, including Nagdhunga, Kalanki, Swoyambhu, Machhapokhari, New Bus Park, Chabahil, Gaushala, Koteshwor, Jagati, Satdobato, Balkhu, Dakshinkali, Sundhara and Old Bus Park of the valley, in a bid to facilitate people travelling to their home district for Dashain.
Each help desk comprises employees from traffic and civil police, Department of Transport, Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection, transport unions, consumer rights activists, Federation of Nepal National Transport Entrepreneurs, and trade unions affiliated to major political parties.
A version of this article appears in the print on September 30, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.
