Kathmandu, September 6
The booking of bus tickets targeting people visiting their homes from Kathmandu, which is scheduled to begin on Thursday, has become uncertain as transporters have begun bargaining with the government for some changes in transportation rules.
Earlier, a meeting of stakeholders coordinated by the Department of Transport Management had decided to begin the booking tomorrow.
The Federation of Nepali National Transportation Entrepreneurs, which had agreed to launch the booking earlier, now says it will not open the booking unless its demands are met.
The organisation’s General Secretary Saroj Sitaula says the booking will not open unless the government allows the entrepreneurs to keep roofs on buses. Just few months ago, the government had decided to remove roofs of all buses as overloading resulted in accidents.
But, Sitaula says the rule is impractical as passengers need space to transport their goods as well. Nepalis coming from foreign nations have heavier luggage and they exceed the 20 kg ceiling fixed by the government, he claims.
He also demanded that the Narayangadh-Muglin road be improved to run the vehicles.
“We are expressing the pains of citizens. If the state does not listen to us, there is no condition to provide the service,” he says, “The Department of Transport Management has to make conducive environment to open the booking. We will not abide by their decision imposed unilaterally.”
DoTM spokesperson Tokraj Pandey says he is confident that most entrepreneurs open the booking tomorrow.
