Kathmandu, May 22
Nepal Standards and Metrology Department has adjusted the metres of around 60 per cent of cabs in Kathmandu– increasing their fares by nearly 10 per cent.
The department’s Director General Bishwa Babu Pudasini said that officials have been adjusting metres of all taxis operating in the valley. As of May 22, the department has adjusted metres of 6,087 taxis. Kathmandu Valley has around 10,000 taxis. The department has been adjusting the metres of 100 taxis per day.
“We checked if the metre and its printing machine were working smoothly before adjusting them,” added Pudasini.
While the previous metre started at Rs 14 and charged 50 for every kilometre, the new metre starts at Rs 15 and charges Rs 53 for every kilometre.
Even though the department has increased fares, taxis are still refusing to use it. Metropolitan Police Division in the past year has taken action against 3000 taxies who refused to use their metre. Nepal Metre Taxi Association chairman Arjun Gautam says taxi drivers are quite happy that the fares have been revised.
