Transport Entrepreneurs Demand Immediate Fare Adjustment Following Fuel Price Hikes

Kathmandu. Transport entrepreneurs have urged the government to immediately adjust public transport fares. The Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs issued a press release on Friday, demanding that fares be adjusted in line with the fuel price hikes implemented by the Nepal Oil Corporation.

The statement, issued by General Secretary Deknath Gautam, highlights that while airfares are adjusted immediately following fuel price increases, the government's silence regarding public transport is discriminatory.

The statement notes that although the Department of Transport Management recommended a fare increase of 11.33% for passenger vehicles, 14.29% for hill cargo, and 8.81% for Terai cargo to the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport on Chait 5, it has yet to be implemented.

Entrepreneurs state that they are currently operating services at a loss of millions of rupees daily due to the recent price hikes. The Federation has demanded that the federal and all seven provincial governments adjust fares according to scientific methods as soon as possible. They have also warned that if their demands are not met, they will set and collect fares on their own.

The statement reads, 'Since it is no longer possible for entrepreneurs to operate services at a loss, there is no option but to either shut down services or self-declare and collect fares based on scientific methods.'