Nepal Hikes Public Transport Fares by 5% Amidst Rising Fuel Costs

Kathmandu. The government has again increased public transport fares. According to Mani Bhusal, director at the Department of Transport Management, a 5% fare hike for public transport was approved by a ministerial decision yesterday.

"Yesterday, under the minister's directive, we increased the inter-provincial fare by 5%," he said. The fare has been increased by 5% for both passenger and cargo vehicles. Previously, when fares were adjusted, the average market price of diesel was Rs 180.83 per liter, which has now increased by Rs 55 to Rs 235.83.

This is a 30.41% increase compared to the previous price. The department stated that the new fare rate has been implemented with the theoretical approval of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, based on this fuel price increase.

Previously, on Chaitra 25, the central government had adjusted public transport fares. The Department of Transport Management, considering 13 indicators, had increased passenger public transport fares by 16.71%, cargo vehicles operating in hilly areas by 21.68%, and cargo vehicles operating in the Terai region by 15.75%.

Since then, with fuel prices increasing twice and diesel reaching over Rs 55 more, transport entrepreneurs have been demanding fare adjustments. On Baisakh 9, the department had recommended to the ministry to adjust fares by approximately 9.8% for passenger vehicles and about 14% for cargo vehicles in hilly areas and 12% in the Terai.

Following this, Minister Sunil Lamsal approved the adjustment by increasing it by 5%.