Transport operators plan to suspend advance ticket bookings

Kathmandu, October 1 — Transportation operators are preparing to suspend advance ticket bookings. Saroj Sitaula, senior vice-chairman of the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs, stated that this decision is due to ongoing landslides on highways and disrupted vehicle schedules.

Vehicles that had been stranded for four days due to the continuous rainfall and resulting landslides were able to depart for their destinations starting Monday. These vehicles were blocked by landslides on the Prithvi Highway, and additional landslides in Dumkibas, West Nawalparasi, also obstructed the roads.

Sitaula mentioned that the vehicles that have just left are struggling to reach passengers who booked tickets from the day of the Dashain festival, leading to a situation where ticket sales may need to be halted. He added that a meeting of the federation will convene in the afternoon to make a final decision on this matter.

Meanwhile, the Department of Transport Management is unaware of the plans to suspend advance ticket sales. Department spokesperson Ishwaridatta Paneru noted that transportation operators have not communicated any information regarding this issue.

He pointed out that while transport route permits are open across the country, the corresponding vehicles must arrive as scheduled. “Even if the vehicles that have just departed are delayed, there are additional vehicles for Dashain, so it shouldn't necessarily lead to a complete halt in ticket sales,” he said.