We must rethink how we treat public transport and take real steps to make it work better – for everyone. A system that values people's time, comfort and dignity
Travel time is one of the most important parts of public transportation. It affects how productive people can be, their mood and how they plan their day. But sadly, in many parts of Nepal, this important issue is often ignored, especially in places where transport systems aren't well-managed or don't put passengers first.
Take the journey from Surkhet to Nepalgunj as an example. The road is fine, yet people still face frustrating delays. Why? Because of poor transport service and a lack of passenger care. A few months ago, I began my travel from Surkhet to Nepalgunj at 7 a.m. expecting to reach my destination on time. But, instead of leaving, the driver spent over an hour and a half just driving around town trying to find more passengers. When someone asked why the delay, the response was rude: "If you don't like it, you can take your own car."
Such an attitude persists in how our public transport works. It's not always the bad roads that cause delays – it's a lack of discipline, planning and care in how vehicles are run. Drivers often wait until their vehicles are full – or even exceed the capacity – ignoring schedules completely. There are no rules or a system to stop this from happening although the traffic police is around. And in the end, it's the passengers who suffer. Unfortunately, passengers themselves contribute to the problem by attempting to board already overcrowded vehicles. This creates a cycle of discomfort and unsafe travel conditions.
This isn't just about being late. It also affects people's comfort, their mood and their basic dignity. Imagine sitting in a crowded vehicle in the middle of summer, sweating for hours, just because the driver isn't willing to move until the seats are full.
During an educational trip with students on the Butwal–Narayanghat road, I encountered a challenging situation. We were trapped in a traffic jam for 12 hours due to road damage, ongoing construction delays and landslides – some of which were beyond human control. To add to the misery, there were no basic facilities like toilets, access to drinking water or food, or a place to rest. Everyone –students, teachers and other passengers – felt frustrated and powerless.
Another growing concern is the sheer number of vehicles on the roads, all competing for a limited number of passengers. In some cases, the chaos leads to passengers riding in one vehicle while their luggage is sent in another. This often happens due to aggressive competition among co-drivers, who pull passengers in different directions without proper coordination.
While it's understandable that vehicle owners aim to cover their operating costs and avoid running half-empty, this should not come at the expense of passengers' time, comfort or peace of mind. Public transport exists to serve the people – not to exploit them.
To address these challenges, a series of important steps must be taken. First, the government and local transport authorities need to recognise that travel time is a serious concern. They must enforce strict regulations to ensure that public vehicles depart on schedule – even if they are not completely full. Public transport should prioritise the needs of passengers, not just the financial interests of vehicle owners. Second, drivers and conductors should be trained to treat passengers with respect and empathy. They must understand that delays, discomfort and disorganisation have real consequences on people's daily lives.
Third, the entire system needs better coordination and modernisation. Introducing fixed departure times and real-time vehicle tracking can significantly improve reliability and help build public trust. Local communities should also be empowered to report delays, misconduct, or mismanagement – and those who repeatedly violate rules should face clear and consistent consequences. Finally, people must raise their voices. When passengers, the media and civil society actively highlight these issues, it puts pressure on authorities and stakeholders to act. With consistent, focused efforts, we can build a public transport system that is more respectful, punctual and comfortable for all.
Another important issue concerns the traffic police, who often turn a blind eye to the malpractices in public transportation. Even though they're seen on the roads in busy places like Surkhet and Nepalgunj, they don't usually take action. Drivers openly break rules – like stopping where they're not supposed to, changing routes or overloading passengers – but nothing is done about it.
In towns like Surkhet and Nepalgunj, it's common for drivers or vehicle owners to pay a certain amount of money per passenger to local "handlers" or "brokers" who help bring in passengers. This informal commission-based system has become widely accepted over time, even though it operates entirely outside official regulation. This practice directly impacts travel time. Since drivers rely on these handlers to fill their vehicles, they often wait at bus stops or roadside points for long periods until enough passengers are gathered to make the trip profitable. With no clear departure time, travel becomes unpredictable and frustrating. This undermines trust in public transport and reduces its efficiency and reliability.
In the end, travel is not just about getting from one place to another – it's part of our life. When public transport is poorly managed, it doesn't just waste our time. It makes us unhappy and breaks our trust in the system. Even if the roads are smooth, if the ride is full of delays and discomfort, then we are failing the very people public transport is meant to serve. It's time things changed. We need to rethink how we treat public transport and take real steps to make it work better –for everyone. A system that values people's time, comfort and dignity.
Neupane is Assistant Professor, Mid-West University
