Kathmandu, September 23
The government will continue the system of advance ticket booking for the upcoming Dashain, Tihar and Chhath festivals. This is among the decisions outlined in a 15-point directive sent by the Department of Transport Management to stakeholders.
However, the department has not yet specified when advance ticket booking will open.
According to the department, public transport operators should make arrangements for online ticket booking as far as possible and operate vehicles only with travel documents containing passengers’ identifying details.
The department has also directed transport operators, companies and institutions to issue mandatory identification cards to employees involved in ticket sales. It has instructed them to completely control ticket sales from unauthorised counters and by individuals without identification cards or uniforms.
It has also called for coordination among the Department of Transport Management, Nepal Police, traffic police, Nepal Railway Company and other concerned agencies to effectively monitor passenger vehicles entering and leaving the Kathmandu Valley.
The department said passengers must travel on public vehicles only after obtaining tickets. It has urged passengers not to travel after consuming alcohol and to purchase tickets only from authorised counters or employees and individuals carrying identification cards.
Drivers and transport staff must arrange for passengers to have meals and snacks at designated locations in accordance with government standards and ensure that there is no overcrowding during such stops.
Focus on road maintenance and traffic management
The department has directed concerned agencies to continuously inspect and carry out necessary maintenance on major roads and highways used by passenger vehicles during the festival period.
It has requested the Department of Roads to make arrangements for landslide control and prevent traffic congestion, while continuously providing information to the public about road conditions.
Transport operators will also have to arrange additional vehicles required during the period.
The department has said it will hold further discussions and consultations with stakeholders on opening route permits for passenger vehicles, advance ticket booking and the movement of large vehicles, and issue a notice specifying the date and duration of transport operations.
Drivers to undergo mandatory health tests
The department has directed authorities to conduct health tests on drivers operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs at major entry and exit points of the Kathmandu Valley and across the country. If a driver is found to have consumed alcohol or drugs, the concerned transport operator must arrange another driver.
Likewise, long-distance passenger vehicles must undergo mandatory checks, including inspections of their mechanical condition, before departing for their destinations.
The department has also directed operators of long-distance public passenger vehicles to have at least two drivers and arrange for them to take turns driving. Concerned authorities will monitor whether this arrangement is in place.
The department has clearly instructed transport operators not to employ children under 18 as drivers or in other jobs.
As the number of passenger vehicles is likely to increase significantly as the festivals approach, raising the risk of road accidents, the department has directed concerned authorities to ensure effective monitoring and surveillance accordingly.
