Department Recommends Public Transport Fare Hike Following Fuel Price Increase

Kathmandu. The Department of Transport Management has recommended to the government to increase public transport fares based on the recent hike in petroleum prices. The department has formally written to the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, proposing a fare increase according to the scientific fare adjustment system.

The department prepared the proposal for new fares after Nepal Oil Corporation increased the price of diesel by NPR 10 per liter and petrol by NPR 15 per liter, effective from Chaitra 2.

The department stated that this recommendation is based on the 'Scientific Fare Adjustment Method' which utilizes 13 indicators and has been in effect since 2065 BS.

How much will the fare increase?

According to the department's recommendation, the proposed fare increases for various sectors are as follows:

Passenger transport vehicles: 11.33 percent

Cargo vehicles operating on hilly routes: 14.29 percent

Cargo vehicles operating on Terai routes: 8.81 percent

According to the Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs National Federation, the department sent the file for fare adjustment to the ministry on Chaitra 5. Business operators have demanded the immediate implementation of this recommendation, arguing that fares have not been fully adjusted based on the 13 indicators since V.S. 2072.